Citi Says Sharp TOPIX Drop Could Push USD/JPY Lower as Yen Gains Momentum 
Gold Ends July Higher as Weaker Dollar Offsets Fed Inflation Concerns 
Oil Prices Drop Nearly 5% as Trump Delays Iran Strike, Markets Eye Strait of Hormuz Deal 
UK Economy Faces 2027 Recession Risk if Strait of Hormuz Stays Closed, EY Warns 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Optimism Lifts Markets; Yen Holds Gains Ahead of BOJ Decision 
US Stock Futures Rise as Amazon Earnings Boost AI Optimism Despite Apple Selloff 
China PMI Falls Into Contraction as Manufacturing, Services Weaken in July 
South Korea’s KOSPI Soars as Samsung, SK Hynix Rebound on Microsoft-Fueled AI Rally 
Iran Warns of Retaliation as Trump Threatens New Strikes, Oil Risks Intensify 
Japan Confirms Coordinated Yen Intervention With U.S., Signals More Action if Needed 
U.S. Treasury Joins Japan in Yen Intervention as Currency Nears 40-Year Lows 
UK Stock Market May Outperform if AI Bubble Bursts, Capital Economics Says 
Trump Says Iran Talks to Begin as Strait of Hormuz Deal Nears, Oil Prices Fall 
Japan Earthquake Disrupts Auto and Chip Supply Chains 
US Jobs Report, Fed Outlook, and Big Tech Earnings Put Stock Market in Focus 
Oil Prices Head for 21% Monthly Surge as Middle East Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
China Defends Industrial Policy Ahead of Key U.S. and EU Trade Talks 
U.S. stock index futures moved higher late Sunday after President Donald Trump announced that negotiations with Iran would begin on Monday, easing geopolitical concerns and lifting investor sentiment. The prospect of renewed diplomacy also pressured oil prices lower, fueling optimism that inflationary pressures could ease in the months ahead.
As of 20:41 ET (00:41 GMT), S&P 500 futures climbed 0.4% to 7,551.50, Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.65% to 28,589.50, and Dow Jones futures advanced 0.39% to 52,835. The gains followed a positive finish on Wall Street on Friday, where bargain buying, particularly in technology stocks, helped markets recover after a difficult July.
Trump said discussions with Iran were scheduled to begin Monday afternoon and described a potential agreement involving the Strait of Hormuz as “imminent.” His remarks came after he canceled a planned military strike against Iran following talks with regional mediators, raising hopes that tensions between Washington and Tehran could ease after weeks of escalating conflict.
The geopolitical optimism pushed crude oil prices down nearly 5% in early Monday trading. Lower energy prices have strengthened expectations that inflation could moderate, providing a more favorable backdrop for financial markets.
Technology stocks are expected to remain in focus after suffering heavy losses throughout July. Strong quarterly earnings from Microsoft and Amazon recently helped improve sentiment, sparking hopes of a broader recovery across the sector. Despite the rebound, the Nasdaq Composite ended July down 3.2%, while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average posted modest monthly gains.
Investors are also preparing for another busy week of second-quarter earnings. Palantir Technologies is scheduled to report later Monday, followed by AMD and SpaceX on Tuesday. Other major companies reporting this week include Caterpillar, Merck, and McDonald’s.
Beyond corporate earnings, markets are closely watching Friday’s U.S. nonfarm payrolls report for July. Economists expect stronger job growth, a result that could reinforce expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates elevated after policymakers signaled continued concerns about persistent inflation during last week’s meeting.
