Oil Prices Jump 4% as Iran Missile Strike Revives Middle East Supply Fears 
Japan Yen Surges on Reported FX Intervention as Dollar Slides After Fed, BoE Holds Rates 
China PMI Falls Into Contraction as Manufacturing, Services Weaken in July 
US Dollar Slips Ahead of Fed Decision as Oil Prices Ease Inflation Fears 
Chile Central Bank Holds Interest Rate at 4.5% as Inflation and Global Risks Persist 
Japan PM Sanae Takaichi Plans Temporary Food Tax Cut to Ease Inflation Pressure 
Hong Kong Home Prices Extend Winning Streak With 13th Straight Monthly Gain in June 
European Stocks Edge Higher as Strong Earnings Offset Inflation and Fed Rate Concerns 
Gold Prices Fall 1% Ahead of Fed Decision as Markets Watch Warsh, Iran Talks 
Oil Prices Ease After Sharp Rally as Trump Warns of More Action Against Iran 
Asian Stocks Tumble as Tech Selloff Deepens Ahead of Fed Decision, Big Tech Earnings 
US Stock Futures Slip Ahead of Fed Decision, Big Tech Earnings Amid Middle East Tensions 
RBA Signals More Rate Hikes Possible as Australia Battles Stubborn Inflation 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady After Fed Decision as Dollar Finds Support 
Fed Holds Rates Steady as US Dollar Slides, Euro and Yen Gain 
US Stocks Slide as Fed Holds Rates, AI Chip Selloff Deepens and Oil Prices Surge 
U.S. stock index futures moved higher late Thursday after strong quarterly results from Amazon and Microsoft renewed investor confidence in artificial intelligence, although gains were capped by a sharp decline in Apple shares following a weaker-than-expected sales outlook.
S&P 500 Futures climbed 0.26% to 7,491.75, Nasdaq 100 Futures advanced 0.7% to 28,440.0, and Dow Jones Futures added 0.2% to 52,506.0 by 20:10 ET (00:10 GMT).
Market sentiment also improved as geopolitical tensions showed signs of easing. Reports suggested Iran and Oman were engaged in talks regarding the Strait of Hormuz, while U.S. President Donald Trump announced a disarmament agreement in Gaza. These developments helped reduce risk aversion, though investors remained cautious after a difficult month for technology stocks.
Amazon emerged as the biggest winner in after-hours trading, with shares jumping 9.4% after the e-commerce giant reported stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings. Its Amazon Web Services (AWS) division delivered its fastest revenue growth in 18 quarters, reinforcing optimism surrounding the company’s AI strategy. Amazon also highlighted accelerating demand for its artificial intelligence services and custom AI chips, adding to positive momentum created by Microsoft’s strong earnings report earlier in the week.
In contrast, Apple shares dropped more than 6% in extended trading despite solid iPhone sales. Investors focused on weaker sales in China, slower growth in its services business, and a revenue forecast of 9% to 11% for the current quarter, below Wall Street expectations of 12%. Apple also warned that higher memory and component costs, driven by booming AI demand, were creating supply chain pressures.
Earlier Thursday, Wall Street closed sharply higher. The S&P 500 gained 1.7%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite surged 2.8%. Semiconductor stocks led the rally, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index soaring 8.2%, as investors regained confidence in AI-related spending despite Meta Platforms falling 8% after raising its capital expenditure outlook.
Even with Thursday’s rebound, major U.S. indexes remained on track for monthly losses. The S&P 500 was set to decline 0.8% in July, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite was headed for a steeper 4.2% monthly drop after a broad selloff in technology and chipmaking stocks.
