Japan PM Sanae Takaichi Unveils Growth Plan as BOJ Independence Concerns Lift Bond Yields 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Brent Oil Jumps 16% for Best Week Since April as US-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
Hong Kong AI Stocks Rally as Moonshot AI’s Kimi K3 Launch Boosts Market Optimism 
Gold Climbs Above $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Outlook Drive Safe-Haven Demand 
European Earnings Season Gains Strength as Barclays Sees Broader Profit Recovery 
Trump Threatens Higher Canada Tariffs as Wildfire Smoke Sparks U.S. Air Quality Crisis 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Boost US Dollar, Oil Concerns 
Asian Stocks Rise as Oil Retreats on Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ahead of Key AI Earnings 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
China Holds Loan Prime Rates Steady for 14th Month as Economic Recovery Remains Uneven 
Wall Street Ends Lower as AI Selloff, Iran Tensions Weigh on Tech Stocks 
Asian Markets Cautious as Oil Tops $90, AI Earnings and Fed Rate Fears Weigh on Sentiment 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Fed Outlook Offsets Middle East Tensions 
U.S. stock index futures traded little changed late Monday as investors prepared for a busy week of major corporate earnings while closely monitoring escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. The geopolitical uncertainty continued to weigh on market sentiment after Wall Street ended the previous session lower.
As of late Monday, S&P 500 Futures were largely unchanged at 7,482.50, while Nasdaq 100 Futures hovered near 28,784.0 and Dow Jones Futures remained around 52,083.0. The muted movement followed last week’s losses, when concerns over stretched artificial intelligence-related valuations triggered a sharp sell-off in semiconductor and technology stocks.
Investor caution also intensified as military tensions in the Middle East escalated. U.S. Central Command reportedly carried out a tenth consecutive night of strikes against Iran, with operations expanding in scope. President Donald Trump vowed that Iran “will pay” following attacks that killed at least three American service members stationed at U.S. military bases in the region.
The conflict pushed oil prices to their highest levels in five weeks as disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz fueled fears of tighter global crude supplies. Rising energy prices also renewed concerns about persistent inflation, increasing speculation that the Federal Reserve could consider additional interest rate hikes later this year if price pressures remain elevated. Although policymakers are widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged at the upcoming July meeting, investors remain focused on the Fed’s inflation outlook after Chair Kevin Warsh reaffirmed the central bank’s commitment to its 2% inflation target.
Attention is now turning to a packed earnings calendar led by several technology giants. Tesla and Google parent Alphabet are scheduled to report second-quarter results on Wednesday. Investors will look for signs of improving electric vehicle sales at Tesla, while Alphabet’s earnings will be scrutinized for updates on artificial intelligence spending and development following reports that its Gemini 3.5 Pro AI model has been delayed.
Other notable companies reporting this week include General Motors, Danaher, Charles Schwab, and MSCI on Tuesday. Wednesday’s lineup also features Philip Morris International, Gevo, Moody’s, CME Group, and Texas Instruments, while semiconductor giant Intel is set to release its quarterly results on Thursday. These reports are expected to provide fresh insight into corporate performance and the broader outlook for U.S. markets.
