U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Austria’s AA Credit Rating Affirmed as Fitch Highlights Stable Outlook 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Fed Meeting Sparks Division as Markets Brace for Possible Rate Cut 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
U.S. stock index futures declined Thursday amid escalating Middle East tensions and uncertainty over recent U.S.-China trade developments. Dow E-minis dropped 269 points (0.63%), S&P 500 E-minis fell 25.5 points (0.42%), and Nasdaq 100 E-minis slid 74 points (0.34%).
Investors showed caution after an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed in Ahmedabad, India, with over 200 passengers on board. Boeing shares (NYSE:BA) plunged 7.6% in premarket trading. The incident added to broader risk-off sentiment already pressured by geopolitical risks.
President Donald Trump announced the repositioning of U.S. personnel in the Middle East, calling it a “dangerous place,” and warned Iran against pursuing nuclear weapons. An Iranian official responded by threatening U.S. bases if nuclear talks fail. The developments come ahead of a sixth round of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations.
In trade news, China confirmed a consensus on a trade agreement with the U.S., urging both sides to honor the deal. Markets await further details from this week’s two-day talks in London, as investor focus remains on tariff impacts and global economic stability.
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) fell 1.7% and Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) lost 1.1%, tracking broader tech weakness. In contrast, Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) jumped 7.7% after raising its revenue forecast on surging AI-related demand.
Gold prices rose, boosting U.S.-listed gold miners. Newmont climbed 1.5%, Harmony Gold gained 3.5%, and AngloGold Ashanti advanced 4.2%. Oklo shares slid 5.8% after launching a $400 million stock offering.
Markets also await May’s Producer Price Index and initial jobless claims, due later today. Citigroup (NYSE:C) analysts noted tariff effects may intensify in late summer, while current inflation appears muted.
The S&P 500 is now 2% below its February peak, while the Nasdaq is 2.7% off its December high.
