Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
Mega IPOs Like SpaceX and OpenAI Could Reshape S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 Portfolios in 2026 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
U.S. stocks ended higher on Friday after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reassured markets that the economy remains strong. However, lingering trade policy uncertainty led to Wall Street’s biggest weekly decline in months.
Powell signaled that the Fed won’t rush to cut interest rates, citing economic stability but also expressing concerns over President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. Market volatility surged throughout the week as investors reacted to trade tensions involving Canada, Mexico, and China.
The S&P 500 suffered its worst weekly loss since September, declining 3.1%, while the Nasdaq fell 3.45% and the Dow dropped 2.37%. The Russell 2000 Small Cap index slid 3.86%. The Nasdaq also confirmed a 10% drop from its December high, marking a technical correction.
Stocks initially dipped on Friday but rebounded following Powell’s remarks. The Dow gained 222.64 points (0.52%) to close at 42,801.72, the S&P 500 added 31.68 points (0.55%) to 5,770.20, and the Nasdaq rose 126.97 points (0.70%) to 18,196.22.
Economic data showed stronger-than-expected job growth in February, though unemployment ticked up to 4.1%, raising concerns about slowing consumer spending. Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley revised down their economic growth forecasts, citing weaker consumer activity.
Trump’s temporary four-week tariff reprieve for Canada and Mexico did little to ease market jitters, as new trade barriers with China loom. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) tumbled 12% due to tariff-related earnings pressure, while Costco (COST) dropped 6% after missing profit expectations. Broadcom (AVGO) surged 8.6% on strong AI-related demand forecasts.
Trading volume hit 16.92 billion shares, exceeding the 20-day average. Declining stocks outnumbered gainers, with the Nasdaq posting 159 new lows versus 28 highs.
