US Jobs Report, Fed Outlook, and Big Tech Earnings Put Stock Market in Focus 
Oil Prices Drop Nearly 5% as Trump Delays Iran Strike, Markets Eye Strait of Hormuz Deal 
US Stock Futures Rise as Trump’s Iran Talks Boost Market Sentiment Ahead of Key Earnings 
South Korea Exports Surge 62.8% in July on AI Chip Demand 
Gold Prices Rise as Trump Delays Iran Strike, Oil Slumps 
25 Democratic-Led States Sue Trump Administration Over New Global Tariffs 
Gold Ends July Higher as Weaker Dollar Offsets Fed Inflation Concerns 
Trump Says Iran Talks to Begin as Strait of Hormuz Deal Nears, Oil Prices Fall 
KOSPI Drops Nearly 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Lead AI Stock Selloff 
Gulf Shipping Traffic Steady as U.S.-Iran Talks Remain Uncertain 
Australia Job Ads Rise in July, Signaling Strong Labor Market Despite High Interest Rates 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Iran Talk Uncertainty Keeps Markets on Edge 
Japanese Yen Rallies as Intervention Hopes and BOJ Outlook Weigh on USD/JPY 
UK Economy Faces 2027 Recession Risk if Strait of Hormuz Stays Closed, EY Warns 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Yen Retreats, Traders Eye U.S.-Iran Talks and Fed Data 
Asian Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Returns, Australia Hits Record High Ahead of RBI Decision 
US Signals More Joint Yen Intervention With Japan if Currency Volatility Continues 
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.
