BOJ June Rate Hike Likely as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Middle East Tensions 
U.S. Proposes New Tariffs on Imports From 60 Economies Over Forced Labor Concerns 
US Stock Futures Steady as Iran Tensions and AI Rally Shape Market Sentiment 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Optimism and Tech Surge Lift Regional Markets in 2026 
South Korea Weighs AI Profit Sharing as Samsung and SK Hynix Earnings Surge 
Oil Prices Rise on Middle East Tensions and Sharp U.S. Crude Inventory Draw 
US Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High as Fed Rate Outlook and Middle East Tensions Boost Demand 
Australia GDP Growth Misses Forecasts in Q1 2026 as Inflation and Iran War Impact Spending 
Yen Nears 160 Per Dollar as Japan Signals Readiness for Currency Intervention 
Asian Stocks Slide as Tech and Chip Shares Retreat Amid Iran Conflict Concerns 
China Services PMI Hits Three-Month High in May as Domestic Demand Strengthens 
South Korea Inflation Surges to Two-Year High, Boosting July Rate Hike Expectations 
Indonesia Passes New Central Bank Law, Raising Investor Concerns Over Policy Independence 
Gulf Tensions Escalate as Iranian Missile Attacks Fail and Nuclear Talks Remain Stalled 
Gold Prices Slide as Strong Dollar and Rate Concerns Pressure Bullion 
Australia Passes Major Tax Reform Bill to Boost Housing Affordability and Cut Taxes for Workers 
Oil Prices Climb as Middle East Tensions Escalate and Ceasefire Prospects Fade 
U.S. stock index futures moved lower on Thursday evening as weakness in technology and semiconductor stocks continued following Broadcom’s sharp post-earnings decline. Investors are now closely watching the upcoming U.S. nonfarm payrolls report, which could provide critical insights into the economy and influence expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate policy in 2026.
S&P 500 Futures fell 0.3% to 7,574.75, while Nasdaq 100 Futures dropped 0.7% to 30,266.25. Dow Jones Futures edged slightly lower to 51,642. The decline followed a mixed session on Wall Street, where investors rotated out of high-growth technology stocks and shifted toward more economically sensitive sectors.
Technology and semiconductor shares came under pressure after Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO) plunged 12.6% during regular trading and slipped further in after-hours activity. Although the company reported strong earnings growth, investors were disappointed that Broadcom maintained its long-term artificial intelligence chip revenue target of $100 billion by 2027 instead of raising guidance. The market had anticipated a stronger outlook amid ongoing AI-driven demand.
The broader semiconductor sector also weakened, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index losing 2.2%. Major chipmakers including AMD, Intel, and Micron Technology posted declines, while Nvidia managed to gain 2%. Analysts noted that semiconductor stocks were vulnerable to profit-taking after reaching record highs in recent weeks due to enthusiasm surrounding artificial intelligence investments.
Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average reached a record high as investors favored industrial and cyclical stocks over technology shares. The S&P 500 gained 0.4%, while the Nasdaq Composite finished slightly lower.
Market participants are now focused on Friday’s May nonfarm payrolls report. Economists expect slower job growth compared to the previous month, reflecting economic pressures linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran and the Middle East. Strong labor market data, combined with persistent inflation concerns, could give the Federal Reserve additional reasons to keep interest rates elevated or potentially consider further tightening later in 2026.
Investors will closely monitor employment data for clues about the strength of the U.S. economy, future monetary policy decisions, and the direction of stock markets in the weeks ahead.
