US Dollar Gains as Iran Tensions, Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
Japan Posts First Current Account Deficit in 17 Months as Dividend Payments Surge 
South Korean Won Leads Asian FX Losses as Dollar Rises 
US Stock Futures Flat as Iran Strait of Hormuz Demands Fuel Oil Concerns 
Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Reopening Remains Uncertain 
Goldman Sachs Sees US Stock Buybacks Outpacing Equity Issuance as AI Funding Rises 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await U.S. Jobs Data 
Trump Unveils $3 Billion U.S. Critical Minerals Push 
Asian Stocks Rise as Weak US Jobs Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Bets 
China Inflation Cools in July as CPI Misses Forecast, PPI Deflation Eases 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Futures Rise as Iran Risks and CPI Loom 
European Stocks Flat as Oil Prices Rise, US CPI in Focus 
US Dollar Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Inflation Data 
Japan Executives Warn Weak Yen and Currency Volatility Threaten Economy 
Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Reopening Remains Uncertain 
US Job Growth Seen Picking Up in July 
U.S. stock index futures moved lower on Thursday evening as weakness in technology and semiconductor stocks continued following Broadcom’s sharp post-earnings decline. Investors are now closely watching the upcoming U.S. nonfarm payrolls report, which could provide critical insights into the economy and influence expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate policy in 2026.
S&P 500 Futures fell 0.3% to 7,574.75, while Nasdaq 100 Futures dropped 0.7% to 30,266.25. Dow Jones Futures edged slightly lower to 51,642. The decline followed a mixed session on Wall Street, where investors rotated out of high-growth technology stocks and shifted toward more economically sensitive sectors.
Technology and semiconductor shares came under pressure after Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO) plunged 12.6% during regular trading and slipped further in after-hours activity. Although the company reported strong earnings growth, investors were disappointed that Broadcom maintained its long-term artificial intelligence chip revenue target of $100 billion by 2027 instead of raising guidance. The market had anticipated a stronger outlook amid ongoing AI-driven demand.
The broader semiconductor sector also weakened, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index losing 2.2%. Major chipmakers including AMD, Intel, and Micron Technology posted declines, while Nvidia managed to gain 2%. Analysts noted that semiconductor stocks were vulnerable to profit-taking after reaching record highs in recent weeks due to enthusiasm surrounding artificial intelligence investments.
Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average reached a record high as investors favored industrial and cyclical stocks over technology shares. The S&P 500 gained 0.4%, while the Nasdaq Composite finished slightly lower.
Market participants are now focused on Friday’s May nonfarm payrolls report. Economists expect slower job growth compared to the previous month, reflecting economic pressures linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran and the Middle East. Strong labor market data, combined with persistent inflation concerns, could give the Federal Reserve additional reasons to keep interest rates elevated or potentially consider further tightening later in 2026.
Investors will closely monitor employment data for clues about the strength of the U.S. economy, future monetary policy decisions, and the direction of stock markets in the weeks ahead.
