Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
Oil Prices Ease as Markets Weigh U.S.-Iran Peace Deal and Strait of Hormuz Reopening 
Dollar Slips as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Boosts Risk Appetite Ahead of Fed Decision 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Japan Trade Deficit Narrows as Exports Surge in May 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Yen Near 40-Year Lows Despite BOJ Rate Hike, Markets Brace for Possible Intervention 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
U.S. stock index futures edged lower on Thursday evening, giving back some gains after a strong Wall Street rally driven by optimism surrounding a new U.S.-Iran agreement and a powerful surge in semiconductor stocks. Trading activity remained relatively light ahead of the Juneteenth holiday, as investors assessed geopolitical developments and the outlook for interest rates.
S&P 500 Futures declined 0.2% to 7,553.0 points, while Nasdaq 100 Futures slipped 0.3% to 30,622.50 points. Dow Jones Futures also moved lower, falling 0.1% to 51,934.0 points.
Investor sentiment improved significantly after U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reportedly signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The agreement includes a 60-day negotiation period focused on Iran’s nuclear program, with Tehran committing not to pursue or develop nuclear weapons.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route, boosted market confidence by easing concerns over potential disruptions to energy supplies. As a result, oil prices fell sharply, helping reduce fears that higher energy costs could fuel persistent inflation.
Wall Street closed higher on Thursday, recovering from losses recorded in the previous session after the Federal Reserve adopted a more hawkish tone on interest rates. The S&P 500 gained 1.1%, while the Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.9%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average posted a more modest increase of 0.1%.
Technology and semiconductor stocks led the rally. Intel Corporation surged more than 10% after Trump stated that Apple had agreed to collaborate with the chipmaker on semiconductor development projects in the United States. The announcement sparked broad gains across the chip sector, pushing the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index up 6.4% to a record closing high.
Artificial intelligence-related optimism also continued to support major technology stocks. Meanwhile, Apple shares edged higher after CEO Tim Cook indicated that rising memory costs could force the company to increase prices on some devices.
Despite Thursday’s strong gains, the slight decline in futures suggests investors remain cautious as they monitor geopolitical developments, Federal Reserve policy signals, inflation trends, and the performance of the technology sector.
