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Oil Prices Drop as Strait of Hormuz Shipping Recovers 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff 
BOJ Hawk Signals Faster Interest Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Risks 
Gold Drops Below $4,000 as Strong US Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Pressure Bullion 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Australian Household Spending Rebounds Strongly in May as Travel and Dining Drive Consumer Growth 
Wall Street Ends Lower as AI Stocks Drag Markets, Fed Rate Outlook Shifts 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
SpaceX Eyes Starlink Mobile Phone Service to Challenge Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile 
U.S. stock index futures edged lower Wednesday night as investors weighed mixed signals from the Federal Reserve’s January meeting minutes, adding fresh uncertainty to the outlook for interest rates and monetary policy in 2026. Market participants are also closely watching upcoming Walmart earnings for insights into U.S. consumer spending and the broader economic outlook.
As of 20:00 ET (01:00 GMT), S&P 500 Futures dipped to 6,892.0 points. Nasdaq 100 Futures declined nearly 0.1% to 24,942.75, while Dow Jones Futures slipped 0.1% to 49,685.0. The muted movement followed a positive regular trading session, where Wall Street indices gained on the back of a rebound in technology stocks and data showing resilience in the U.S. economy. However, gains were capped as investors digested the Fed’s cautious tone.
The Federal Reserve minutes revealed that policymakers unanimously voted to hold interest rates steady at 3.50% to 3.75%. Still, officials appeared divided over the next steps. Several members warned that inflation could take longer than expected to return to the central bank’s 2% target. Some policymakers even suggested that further rate hikes may be necessary if inflation remains elevated. This stance contrasts with market expectations that inflation pressures will ease and interest rates will decline later this year. Artificial intelligence was also highlighted as a source of uncertainty, with debate over whether rapid AI expansion could fuel or temper inflation.
Attention now turns to Walmart’s fourth-quarter earnings report. Analysts expect earnings per share of $0.7269 on revenue of $190.4 billion. As the world’s largest retailer, Walmart is widely viewed as a bellwether for U.S. consumer health, particularly amid persistent inflation concerns.
Meanwhile, investors are monitoring geopolitical tensions with Iran, as reports indicate increased U.S. military activity in the Middle East. Additional economic data, including U.S. trade figures and weekly jobless claims, are also set to influence market sentiment.
