Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Reopening Remains Uncertain 
Gold Prices Surge 7% as Dollar Falls, Fed Rate Hike Bets Ease 
US Yen Intervention Unlikely to Deliver Lasting Recovery, Yardeni Says 
Trump Unveils $3 Billion U.S. Critical Minerals Push 
Asian Stocks Rise as Weak US Jobs Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Bets 
BOJ Rate Hike Expectations Rise Ahead of September Meeting 
US Job Growth Seen Picking Up in July 
Japan Executives Warn Weak Yen and Currency Volatility Threaten Economy 
US Stock Futures Flat as Iran Strait of Hormuz Demands Fuel Oil Concerns 
European Stocks Flat as Oil Prices Rise, US CPI in Focus 
Goldman Sachs Sees US Stock Buybacks Outpacing Equity Issuance as AI Funding Rises 
Japan Posts First Current Account Deficit in 17 Months as Dividend Payments Surge 
Oil Prices Set for Steep Weekly Losses as Hormuz Deal Stalls 
China Exports Beat July Forecasts as AI Demand Fuels High-Tech Trade 
US Dollar Gains as Iran Tensions, Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
South Korean Won Leads Asian FX Losses as Dollar Rises 
U.S. stock index futures traded slightly higher on Tuesday evening as investors turned their attention to the Federal Reserve's highly anticipated interest rate decision and developments surrounding a potential U.S.-Iran agreement that could ease geopolitical tensions and impact global energy markets.
S&P 500 Futures gained 0.05% to 7,591.50, while Nasdaq 100 Futures advanced 0.05% to 30,335.50. Dow Jones Futures rose 0.08% to 52,513.0 as traders positioned themselves ahead of Wednesday’s Federal Reserve policy announcement.
The modest gains in futures followed a mixed session on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.6% to a record closing high, while the S&P 500 declined 0.6% and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.2%. Market participants rotated out of technology stocks and into more economically sensitive sectors, reflecting a shift in investor sentiment ahead of key monetary policy signals.
Investors are closely monitoring the conclusion of the Federal Reserve’s two-day meeting. The central bank is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged at 3.75%. This meeting marks the first policy decision under new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, making his comments on the U.S. economy, inflation, and future interest rate policy especially important for financial markets.
The Fed’s cautious stance is supported by a resilient labor market and ongoing concerns about inflation. However, policymakers may also take into account recent developments in the Middle East. Market attention remains focused on the expected signing of a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, a move that could formally end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route.
Oil prices declined sharply after news of the peace agreement emerged, raising expectations that lower energy costs could help ease inflationary pressures in the months ahead.
Among individual stocks, SpaceX (NASDAQ: SPCX) continued its post-listing momentum, gaining 2.1% in after-hours trading following its strong market debut. Meanwhile, Lionsgate Studios Corp. (NASDAQ: LION) fell 5% after reports indicated that Netflix was not considering an acquisition of the entertainment company.
Technology stocks faced profit-taking pressure after recent gains fueled by optimism surrounding artificial intelligence and semiconductor demand. Despite weakness in the tech sector, investors remain optimistic that stable interest rates and improving geopolitical conditions could provide support for broader U.S. stock market performance.
