Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
U.S. stock futures plunged late Thursday following reports that Israel launched military strikes on Iran. The S&P 500 Futures dropped 1.5% to 5,961.75, Nasdaq 100 Futures fell 1.7% to 21,567.55, and Dow Jones Futures declined 1.3% to 42,408. Markets reacted swiftly to geopolitical tensions, despite reports confirming no U.S. involvement in the operation.
Reuters, citing two U.S. officials, reported Israel’s actions came amid escalating regional tensions. Israel’s defense minister declared a nationwide state of emergency. While the U.S. remains officially uninvolved, the Biden administration had previously warned of military options if nuclear talks failed, with a critical deadline expiring Thursday. Iran has vowed retaliation for any strikes.
Earlier Thursday, U.S. equities closed higher. The S&P 500 gained 0.4%, the Nasdaq rose 0.2%, and the Dow added 0.2%, supported by a rally in Oracle shares. Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) hit record highs after raising its annual revenue growth target and highlighting strong AI-related demand.
However, Boeing (NYSE:BA) dropped 4.8% after an Air India 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, reportedly killing over 200 people. GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE), whose GEnx-1B engines power the aircraft, also fell 2.2%.
Economic data showed cooling inflation. May’s producer price index came in lower than expected, driven by cheaper services like air travel. The Federal Reserve is expected to maintain rates at 4.25%-4.50% in its upcoming meeting, with potential cuts anticipated in September.
President Donald Trump called Fed Chair Jerome Powell a "numbskull," pushing for a full-point rate cut to save $600 billion in debt interest. Trump also hinted at raising auto tariffs, reviving U.S.-China trade war concerns ahead of a July 9 trade deal deadline.
