Oil Prices Fall on U.S.-Iran Hormuz Deal Hopes 
Trump, Xi Focus on Trade and AI at White House Summit 
Oil Prices Jump 3% as Houthi Attack Revives Supply Fears 
European Stocks Fall as Bond Yields and Geopolitical Risks Weigh 
Canadian Dollar Faces Pressure as Fed-BoC Policy Gap Widens 
Wall Street Ends Flat as Oil, Treasury Yields and Fed Jitters Rattle Markets 
Gold Prices Fall as Treasury Yields Rise on Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Dollar Falls as Oil Eases, Yen Jumps on Intervention Signals 
Japanese Yen Rebounds as Trump Flags Currency Weakness 
US 10-Year Treasury Yield at 6% Emerges as New Market Risk Threshold 
Soybean Futures Slip as Traders Await Trump-Xi Trade Signals 
Asian Stocks Fall as Surging Bond Yields Rattle Markets 
Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High as Yen Approaches 160 
UK PM Burnham to Unveil Economic Vision at Labour Conference 
Japanese Bank Stocks Surge as Bond Yields Fuel Rate Hike Bets 
China Agrees to Buy 20 Million Tons of U.S. Coal 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High 
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U.S. stock index futures rose sharply Wednesday evening, driven by strong quarterly earnings from Microsoft and Meta Platforms that boosted optimism for AI-led growth. The rally followed a muted Wall Street session earlier in the day after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged, dampening expectations for a rate cut in September.
Nasdaq 100 futures jumped 1.1% to 23,719.75 points, while S&P 500 futures gained 0.7% to 6,441.25 points. Dow Jones futures added 0.2% to 44,690 points. The tech-heavy Nasdaq outperformed as investor sentiment improved on robust results from major tech firms.
During regular trading, the S&P 500 slipped 0.1%, the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.2%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.4%. The Fed’s decision marked the first double dissent since 1993, with Trump-appointed governors Michelle Bowman and Christopher Waller favoring a 25 basis-point cut. President Donald Trump criticized the central bank, urging rapid rate reductions to spur growth.
Economic data earlier Wednesday showed U.S. GDP grew more than expected in Q2, rebounding from a Q1 contraction. Private payrolls rose by 104,000 in July, ahead of Friday’s key nonfarm payrolls report.
Microsoft surged over 8% after reporting strong cloud and AI-driven revenue, while Meta soared nearly 12% on robust ad growth and upbeat guidance. Apple and Amazon are set to report next.
In trade developments, Trump announced a 15% tariff on South Korean imports alongside a $350 billion U.S. investment pledge from Seoul and a 25% tariff on India over Russian military purchases. A 50% tariff on semi-finished copper products begins August 1, signaling escalating trade tensions.
