Oil and LNG Tankers Turn Back as Strait of Hormuz Security Risks Escalate 
Japanese Yen Rises as Pension Fund Plan and BOJ Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Dollar 
Gordie Howe Bridge to Open July 27 After U.S.-Canada Reach Toll Revenue Agreement 
Gold Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Conflict, Fed Rate Hike Bets Pressure Precious Metals 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Fed Reaffirms 2% Inflation Goal, Vows Forceful Action to Anchor Price Expectations 
Gold Price Rebounds as U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Minutes Keep Markets on Edge 
Gold Prices Set for Weekly Loss as Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Outlook Weigh 
Dollar Slips as Oil Prices Ease, Fed Rate Outlook Remains Uncertain 
Oil Prices Slip but Stay on Track for Weekly Gains as U.S.-Iran Conflict Persists 
Japan Producer Inflation Hits 7.1% in June, Fueling BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
US Back-to-School Spending Seen Falling as Families Focus on Essentials 
Japan Eyes Bigger GPIF Investment in Domestic Assets as BOJ Independence Concerns Grow 
US Stock Futures Steady as US-Iran Tensions and Fed Inflation Concerns Weigh on Markets 
Germany Seen Gaining as U.S. China-Built Ship Fees Reshape Trade 
Asian Stocks Slip as Iran Tensions, Samsung Weakness and Fed Caution Weigh on Markets 
Wall Street ended higher on Friday, led by the blockbuster Nasdaq debut of South Korean memory chip giant SK Hynix, while investors largely shrugged off renewed U.S.-Iran tensions and shifted their attention to next week’s key U.S. inflation reports.
The S&P 500 gained 0.4% to close at 7,573.79, the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.3% to 26,281.61, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.3% to 52,637.09. For the week, the S&P 500 rose 1.2%, the Nasdaq climbed 1.7%, while the Dow slipped 0.5%.
SK Hynix made history with the largest U.S. listing ever by a foreign company, raising $26.5 billion after pricing its American depositary shares at $149. The stock opened at $170 and finished 12.8% higher at $168.01. The company is a global leader in DRAM and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, which are in high demand for artificial intelligence applications. Nvidia, one of SK Hynix’s biggest HBM customers, gained 4%, while rival Micron Technology fell 1.2%.
Analysts said SK Hynix’s successful debut dominated market sentiment. Interactive Brokers chief strategist Steve Sosnick noted that investors remained largely unfazed by President Donald Trump’s remarks that the ceasefire with Iran was over, focusing instead on continued diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran.
Geopolitical tensions escalated after U.S. strikes on Iranian military targets prompted retaliatory attacks on U.S. bases. However, mediation efforts by Oman and Pakistan helped reassure investors that both sides remain open to negotiations, easing concerns about a broader regional conflict.
Attention is now turning to June’s U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Tuesday and Producer Price Index (PPI) on Wednesday. Economists expect inflation pressures to moderate following a decline in gasoline prices, although food costs may remain elevated. Federal Reserve officials continue to monitor inflation risks tied to tariffs, AI-driven demand, and Middle East developments.
Among individual stocks, Meta Platforms surged 6% after unveiling a new AI model, introducing a paid developer strategy, and reports that it plans to begin production of a custom AI chip in September while significantly expanding its computing infrastructure. Delta Air Lines slipped 1.8% despite reporting quarterly earnings above expectations, as investors remained concerned about higher fuel costs.
