US Dollar Gains as Iran Tensions, Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
Gold Prices Hold Near Seven-Week High as Markets Await U.S. Inflation Data 
US Stock Futures Flat as Iran Strait of Hormuz Demands Fuel Oil Concerns 
Oil Prices Set for Steep Weekly Losses as Hormuz Deal Stalls 
US Yen Intervention Unlikely to Deliver Lasting Recovery, Yardeni Says 
China Inflation Cools in July as CPI Misses Forecast, PPI Deflation Eases 
Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Reopening Remains Uncertain 
Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Reopening Remains Uncertain 
US Job Growth Seen Picking Up in July 
Goldman Sachs Sees US Stock Buybacks Outpacing Equity Issuance as AI Funding Rises 
US Dollar Falls as Weak July Jobs Report Dents Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Japan Executives Warn Weak Yen and Currency Volatility Threaten Economy 
Japan Posts First Current Account Deficit in 17 Months as Dividend Payments Surge 
Asian Stocks Mixed as Chip Selloff Hits KOSPI, Nikkei Ahead of US Jobs Data 
South Korean Won Leads Asian FX Losses as Dollar Rises 
BOJ Signals Faster Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Raise September Move Odds 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Futures Rise as Iran Risks and CPI Loom 
U.S. stock index futures moved higher on Thursday evening after President Donald Trump announced that a peace agreement with Iran had been reached and could be formally signed in the coming days. The news boosted investor confidence and extended the strong rally seen across Wall Street.
S&P 500 Futures gained 0.2% to 7,408.50, while Nasdaq 100 Futures climbed 0.3% to 29,542.0. Dow Jones Futures also edged up 0.1% to 50,933.0, reflecting improved market sentiment ahead of Friday’s trading session.
Wall Street ended Thursday with significant gains, led by technology stocks. The S&P 500 rose 1.75%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.86%, and the Nasdaq Composite surged 2.54%. Chipmakers and other AI-related companies rebounded strongly after recent losses, supported by continued optimism surrounding artificial intelligence growth.
Investor sentiment improved after Trump stated that negotiations with Iran had progressed and a final agreement could soon be signed in Europe. Earlier, he indicated that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen and that the United States would end its naval blockade of Iran. Multiple reports also suggested ongoing discussions between Washington and Tehran, including talks about releasing frozen Iranian assets.
The prospect of easing tensions in the Middle East helped reduce concerns over potential disruptions to global energy supplies and inflation. Additional support came from softer-than-expected U.S. core producer price index data for May, which suggested inflation pressures may be moderating.
Meanwhile, markets are closely watching SpaceX as the aerospace company prepares to begin trading on the Nasdaq on Friday. The Elon Musk-led firm priced its shares at $135 each, raising $75 billion in what is being described as the largest initial public offering in U.S. history.
SpaceX sold 555.56 million shares, giving the company a valuation of approximately $1.77 trillion. The valuation reflects investor enthusiasm for Musk’s long-term vision, including space-based data centers and future Mars colonization projects. The company’s stock is valued at roughly 90 times its projected 2025 revenue, highlighting strong expectations for future growth.
With geopolitical risks easing, inflation concerns cooling, and one of the most anticipated IPOs set to debut, investors will be watching closely for the next catalyst driving U.S. stock market performance.
