European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
Oil Prices Jump After New U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Supply Concerns 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
Wall Street Futures Steady as AI Rally Offsets Middle East Tensions 
BOJ Signals Possible Rate Hike as Middle East Tensions Fuel Inflation Concerns 
Asian Stocks Slip as U.S.-Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets; South Korea’s KOSPI Hits Record High 
Yen Stays Near Intervention Zone as Iran Conflict Supports U.S. Dollar 
Uruguay Central Bank Holds Interest Rate at 5.75% Amid Inflation and Oil Price Concerns 
BOJ Governor Ueda Warns Oil Price Shock Could Trigger Persistent Inflation 
Huawei Chip Breakthrough Sparks Rally in Hong Kong AI and Semiconductor Stocks 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Talks Continue Amid Ceasefire Tensions 
RBNZ Holds Interest Rates Steady but Signals More Hikes Ahead in 2026 
Australia Urged to Simplify Regulations to Revive IPO Market and Boost Innovation 
Wall Street Climbs as Micron Leads Chip Stock Rally Amid Iran Peace Hopes 
Australia Inflation Cools in April as Fuel Prices Ease, But Core CPI Remains Sticky 
Sri Lanka Central Bank Surprises Markets With 100 Basis Point Rate Hike Amid Inflation and Currency Pressure 
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at a fresh record high on Wednesday as gains in healthcare and consumer stocks offset weakness in technology shares. Investors paused after the recent AI-driven market rally while closely monitoring developments in Middle East peace negotiations and upcoming U.S. inflation data.
The Dow climbed 182.60 points, or 0.36%, to finish at 50,644.28. The S&P 500 edged up 0.02% to 7,520.36, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.07% to close at 26,674.74. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also recorded new closing highs for a second consecutive session.
Healthcare and consumer-related stocks helped drive the market higher. Procter & Gamble surged 3.2%, while UnitedHealth advanced 1.9%. Consumer discretionary stocks led sector gains, rising 1.9% overall.
Technology and semiconductor shares, however, pulled back after recent strong performances. Qualcomm dropped 6%, Marvell Technology fell 4.6%, and Intel declined 1.4%. Nvidia slipped 1%, contributing to a 1.4% decline in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index after the benchmark reached record levels earlier this week.
Banking stocks also weighed on the market. JPMorgan Chase shares tumbled 2.4% after CEO Jamie Dimon warned that company expenses could exceed previous forecasts by approximately $1 billion this year.
Investor sentiment remained cautious as U.S.-Iran negotiations continued. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said progress had been made in talks with Iran, although President Donald Trump stated unresolved issues still remain.
Oil prices also pressured the market, with the S&P 500 energy sector falling 1.5% as crude prices dropped nearly 5%.
Elsewhere, cybersecurity company Zscaler plunged 31.5% after issuing weaker-than-expected revenue guidance. Meanwhile, Bath & Body Works jumped 9.7% following strong quarterly earnings, and Abercrombie & Fitch gained after reporting better-than-expected profits.
Goldman Sachs raised its 2026 year-end target for the S&P 500 to 8,000 from 7,600, citing resilient corporate earnings growth and continued market momentum.
