U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
The S&P 500 marked its fifth consecutive record close on Friday, driven by strong corporate earnings and optimism over potential trade agreements. At the 4:00 p.m. ET close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 208 points (0.5%), the S&P 500 added 0.4%, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.2%.
Investor sentiment remained upbeat as nearly 83% of the 155 S&P 500 companies that have reported so far exceeded Wall Street estimates, pushing both the S&P and Nasdaq to fresh intraday and closing highs this week.
Trade developments also buoyed markets. U.S. President Donald Trump indicated a 50-50 chance of finalizing a trade deal with the European Union by Sunday, calling it potentially the biggest agreement among recent negotiations. The European Commission signaled optimism, with talks set to continue ahead of the August 1 deadline. Meanwhile, U.S. and Chinese officials are scheduled to meet in Stockholm next week to extend negotiations following earlier tariff-reduction agreements in May and June.
On the corporate front, Intel shares fell after projecting steeper third-quarter losses than analysts expected and announcing plans to reduce its workforce to 75,000 by year-end, a 22% cut from 2024 levels. Conversely, Deckers’ stock surged as strong first-quarter sales from its Hoka and Ugg brands exceeded forecasts. Paramount Global also edged higher after the Federal Communications Commission approved its $8 billion merger with Skydance Media.
With earnings season in full swing and major trade negotiations underway, investors are closely watching for signs of continued momentum in U.S. equities, which have rallied to historic levels despite lingering global trade tensions and cautious corporate guidance.
