Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
Asian Currencies Stay Range-Bound as Investors Eye China Data, RBNZ Outlook and U.S.-Iran Ceasefire 
Wall Street Ends Lower as AI Stocks Drag Markets, Fed Rate Outlook Shifts 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
SpaceX Eyes Starlink Mobile Phone Service to Challenge Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile 
Gold Price Falls as Fed Rate Hike Fears and U.S.-Iran Tensions Weigh on Bullion 
Canada Grants C$7 Million to Greenland Molybdenum Mine to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
World Bank Approves $1.1 Billion Emergency Funding for Bangladesh Amid Food and Energy Price Pressures 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
The S&P 500 closed lower Wednesday as investors reacted to the Federal Reserve’s hawkish stance and awaited earnings from major tech firms. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 137 points (0.3%), while the S&P 500 and NASDAQ each dropped 0.5%.
The Fed held interest rates steady but removed language suggesting progress toward its 2% inflation target, signaling fewer rate cuts than previously expected. Traders adjusted their forecasts, anticipating a more prolonged period of elevated borrowing costs. Analysts at Jefferies noted that the Fed’s policy stance remains flexible, keeping rate hikes and cuts both on the table.
Investors are now focused on earnings from major tech players, including Microsoft (MSFT), Meta (META), and Tesla (TSLA), which report after Wednesday’s close, followed by Apple (AAPL) on Thursday. These companies, part of the “Magnificent 7” stocks that have driven market gains, will likely face scrutiny on AI investments, particularly after a recent tech selloff triggered by DeepSeek-related concerns.
Chip stocks rebounded after Dutch semiconductor giant ASML (ASML) exceeded earnings expectations, signaling robust demand. Meanwhile, T-Mobile (TMUS) surged 6% on strong wireless subscriber growth, while Starbucks (SBUX) jumped 8% after posting better-than-expected Q1 sales, indicating early success in its turnaround efforts.
Elsewhere, Trump Media & Technology Group (DJT) climbed nearly 7% after announcing the launch of Truth.Fi, a new financial services and fintech brand.
With market uncertainty lingering, investors remain cautious as they digest Fed signals and tech earnings that could set the tone for the broader market.
