Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
Yen Near 40-Year Lows Despite BOJ Rate Hike, Markets Brace for Possible Intervention 
Japan, U.S. Discuss Yen Weakness as Currency Intervention Concerns Grow 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Gold Prices Mixed as Stronger Dollar Offsets Safe-Haven Demand Amid U.S.-Iran Peace Talks 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Supply Concerns 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
100+ Global Companies Push Governments to Prioritize Electrification for Economic Growth 
US Stock Futures Recover as Iran Signals Progress in Peace Talks 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low; Gold Falls and Oil Mixed 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Oil Prices Fall as Iran Peace Talks Progress, Hormuz Reopens, and U.S. SPR Hits 1983 Low 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Russian Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low 
The S&P 500 closed lower Thursday as investor optimism over the Federal Reserve’s outlook for two rate cuts in 2025 faded. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 11 points (0.03%), while the S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite each fell 0.3%. Despite a strong rally Wednesday, uncertainty over Trump’s tariffs and economic slowdown fears kept all three indexes near six-month lows.
Labor market data showed resilience as initial jobless claims inched up to 223,000 from a revised 221,000, slightly below economists' forecast of 224,000. The Fed held interest rates steady at 4.25%-4.5% for a second straight meeting, reaffirming its plan for two cuts by year-end. However, it raised its 2025 inflation forecast to 2.8%, exceeding the 2% target, while trimming its GDP outlook. Fed Chair Jerome Powell cautioned that Trump’s trade policies could impact inflation and growth.
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) saw a 0.5% decline amid reports that CEO Tim Cook is revamping its AI strategy, tapping Vision Pro creator Mike Rockwell to lead Siri improvements. Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) ended flat after recalling nearly all Cybertrucks in the U.S. due to a defect that could cause exterior panels to detach. Microchip Technology (NASDAQ:MCHP) dropped 6.5% following plans to sell $1.35 billion in convertible stock to reduce debt.
Earnings reports are in focus, with FedEx (NYSE:FDX), Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU), and Nike (NYSE:NKE) set to release results. Five Below (NASDAQ:FIVE) rose 0.6% on strong Q4 earnings, while Darden Restaurants (NYSE:DRI) surged over 5% after posting better-than-expected fiscal Q3 results.
