Eurozone Recession Risks Rise as Middle East Conflict Threatens Growth, ECB Official Warns 
European Stocks Volatile as U.S.-Iran Tensions Threaten Oil Supply and Global Markets 
RBA Raises Interest Rates to 4.35% Amid Rising Inflation Risks and Middle East Tensions 
UAE Exits OAPEC Amid Shift Toward Independent Oil Strategy and Market Uncertainty 
Bank of Korea Signals Potential Interest Rate Hikes as Inflation Remains Elevated 
Trump Plans 25% Tariff on EU Car Imports Amid Rising U.S.-EU Trade Tensions 
Fed’s Goolsbee Warns Inflation Remains Elevated, Signals Caution on Rate Cuts 
Oil Prices Ease Slightly as Strait of Hormuz Tensions and U.S.-Iran Talks Support Market Above $100 
Asian Markets Slip Amid Strait of Hormuz Tensions and RBA Rate Hike Expectations 
Iran Warns No Military Fix for Hormuz Crisis as Talks Show Progress 
Middle East Conflict Impacts Australia and New Zealand Businesses 
EU Warns of Response as U.S. Considers 25% Tariffs on Car Imports 
US Moves to Secure Gulf Shipping Amid Rising Tensions with Iran 
Oil Prices Ease in Asian Trade as Gulf Tensions and Hormuz Shipping Risks Weigh on Markets 
Gold Prices Hold Steady Amid Iran Tensions and Interest Rate Uncertainty 
Trump Rejects Iran Proposal as Tensions Persist Amid Fragile Ceasefire 
RBA Rate Hike Outlook: Impact on AUD/USD and ASX 200 
U.S. stock futures edged lower on Thursday as investors remained cautious ahead of the release of crucial U.S. unemployment data. Market participants are closely watching the labor market figures for signals on the Federal Reserve’s next policy moves, particularly whether conditions could support additional interest rate cuts later this year. The data is expected to influence short-term market sentiment as traders reassess the outlook for economic growth, inflation, and monetary policy.
Despite the broader weakness in futures, several major U.S. stocks made notable moves in premarket trading. Alphabet shares rose 0.8%, extending recent gains after the Google parent’s market capitalization surpassed that of Apple for the first time since 2019. The milestone reinforced investor confidence in Alphabet’s long-term growth prospects, especially in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital advertising.
Nvidia stock advanced 0.4% following a Bloomberg report that China may soon approve certain purchases of the company’s H200 artificial intelligence chips. Approval could come as early as this quarter, potentially reopening access to a critical market for the U.S. chipmaker and boosting demand for its high-performance AI hardware.
Defense stocks also rallied strongly in premarket trading. RTX gained 4.9%, while Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman climbed 7% and 7.6%, respectively. The surge came after suggestions of a significant increase in the U.S. military budget for 2027, outweighing concerns over President Trump’s proposal to restrict dividends and share buybacks until defense contractors accelerate weapons production.
Applied Digital shares jumped 6.1% after the data center operator reported better-than-expected second-quarter revenue and announced new lease agreements with two hyperscale customers across its North Dakota campuses. Constellation Brands rose 2% after posting stronger-than-expected third-quarter sales and profit, supported by steady demand for Modelo Especial and Corona beers.
On the downside, Alcoa stock fell 3.4% following a JPMorgan downgrade, while Gap shares climbed 3.9% after a bullish UBS upgrade, reflecting improving expectations for sales and earnings growth.
