US Stock Futures Fall as Treasury Yields Surge Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit 
RBI Uses $10 Billion Currency Swaps to Drain Excess Rupee Liquidity 
Gold Prices Fall as Treasury Yields Rise on Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Oil Prices Jump 3% as Houthi Attack Revives Supply Fears 
Japan Private-Sector Growth Slows as Domestic Demand Weakens 
Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High as Yen Approaches 160 
Russian Envoy Dmitriev Heads to US for Ukraine Talks 
US 10-Year Treasury Yield at 6% Emerges as New Market Risk Threshold 
European Stocks Fall as Bond Yields and Geopolitical Risks Weigh 
Soybean Futures Slip as Traders Await Trump-Xi Trade Signals 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Diplomacy Hopes Fade 
Australia Unemployment Hits Five-Year High Despite Strong Jobs Growth 
Trump, Xi Focus on Trade and AI at White House Summit 
U.S. Dollar Hits Two-Month High as Oil, Treasury Yields Surge 
Wall Street Ends Flat as Oil, Treasury Yields and Fed Jitters Rattle Markets 
Gold Holds Near $4,275 as Rising Treasury Yields Fuel Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Add as a preferred source on Google
U.S. stock index futures edged slightly lower Thursday evening as investors exercised caution ahead of high-stakes ceasefire negotiations between Washington and Tehran, while bracing for a closely watched inflation report. All three major futures contracts — the S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, and Dow Jones — dipped 0.1%, reflecting a wait-and-see mood following a strong regular trading session.
Wall Street capped a positive day, with the S&P 500 extending its winning streak to seven consecutive sessions. Optimism around potential Middle East de-escalation, combined with renewed investor appetite for technology stocks, fueled the rally. The S&P 500 gained 0.6%, the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.8%, and the Dow Jones climbed 0.6%.
Diplomatic efforts to resolve the U.S.-Iran conflict moved forward as delegates from both nations were scheduled to meet in Pakistan — marking the first direct talks since hostilities broke out in late February. However, uncertainty loomed after Iran accused the U.S. and Israel of violating the two-week ceasefire agreement almost immediately after it was announced. Iran's ambassador to Pakistan also deleted a social media post confirming the delegation's arrival, leaving the talks' status in question. Key disputes remain unresolved, particularly surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has largely kept blocked despite earlier commitments to allow safe passage.
Investor attention also turned to Friday's Consumer Price Index report for March. Analysts anticipate a sharp rise in headline inflation, driven largely by surging fuel costs linked to Iran's Hormuz blockade. This follows Federal Reserve minutes revealing policymakers' growing concerns about war-driven inflation pressures. Persistent inflation could diminish the Fed's willingness to cut interest rates in 2025.
Adding to the cautious tone, fourth-quarter GDP data revealed economic growth came in notably weaker than initially estimated. Markets will also be watching upcoming earnings from major chipmakers TSMC and ASML for further directional cues.
