Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
U.S. stock index futures declined on Sunday evening as renewed trade tensions and geopolitical concerns rattled investor sentiment. President Donald Trump announced a hike in steel import tariffs from 25% to 50%, effective June 4, reigniting fears of a prolonged trade war. The move, accompanied by accusations that China violated a recent tariff rollback agreement, sent a warning to markets that higher trade barriers are likely to remain.
S&P 500 futures fell 0.3% to 5,899.25, Nasdaq 100 futures dropped 0.3% to 21,307.25, and Dow Jones futures slipped 0.3% to 42,170.00 as of 23:23 GMT. The retreat follows strong May gains, driven by hopes of easing trade tensions, particularly a temporary deal with China. However, fresh comments from the Trump administration, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stating that tariffs are “here to stay,” suggest that progress has stalled.
Adding to the pressure, markets are bracing for key U.S. economic data on Monday, including manufacturing PMI readings from S&P Global and ISM, as well as a closely watched speech by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Investors are looking for guidance on inflation trends and future interest rate moves after recent PCE data showed modest cooling.
Meanwhile, geopolitical risks are rising. Reports of a possible terrorist attack at a rally in Boulder, Colorado, and intensifying conflict between Russia and Ukraine have dampened risk appetite ahead of expected peace talks.
On Friday, Wall Street ended the month mixed. The S&P 500 finished flat but posted a 6% gain for May. The Dow Jones also closed unchanged, ending the month up 3.9%, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.3% but gained 2% in May.
