U.S. Dollar Reaches One-Year High as Tech Sell-Off and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Support Demand 
Oil Prices Drop as Strait of Hormuz Shipping Recovers 
Australia Jobs Growth Strengthens Rate Hike Outlook 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Gold Prices Rise Above $4,000 as Inflation Data and Weaker Dollar Boost Demand 
White House Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Funding for Iran War, Farmers, and Ebola Response 
Gold Drops Below $4,000 as Strong US Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Pressure Bullion 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Australian Household Spending Rebounds Strongly in May as Travel and Dining Drive Consumer Growth 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
BOJ Hawk Signals Faster Interest Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Risks 
U.S. stocks ended lower on Friday, capping the worst monthly performance for Wall Street since March last year, as hotter-than-expected producer inflation data and continued weakness in technology stocks pressured investor sentiment. The S&P 500 fell 0.5% to 6,877.36, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.9% to 22,668.21. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1.1% to 48,977.18.
Technology shares led the downturn, with Nvidia stock sliding more than 5% despite reporting strong quarterly earnings. Investors appeared concerned about shareholder returns following a sharp rise in the company’s cash reserves, while profit-taking after a recent rally also weighed on the stock. For February, the S&P 500 lost 0.9% and the Nasdaq tumbled 3.4%, reflecting volatility driven by geopolitical tensions, trade uncertainty, and shifting views on artificial intelligence investment trends. Analysts noted growing concerns over AI-related capital expenditures and potential disruption risks in software and services.
Economic data added to market pressure. January’s Producer Price Index (PPI) rose 0.5% month-over-month and 2.9% year-over-year, exceeding expectations. Core PPI, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.8% monthly and 3.6% annually. The stronger inflation reading may delay Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, reinforcing concerns about sticky inflation. JPMorgan raised its January core PCE inflation estimate to 0.42%, suggesting the Fed could remain cautious in the coming months.
In corporate news, Netflix stock surged 14% after declining to raise its bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, while Paramount jumped nearly 21% following its improved $31-per-share offer. Dell Technologies soared 22% on record results fueled by AI server demand, and Block rallied 17% after announcing major job cuts to integrate artificial intelligence.
Meanwhile, OpenAI announced a record $110 billion funding round backed by Microsoft, SoftBank, Nvidia, and Amazon, underscoring surging AI demand. Oil prices also climbed, with Brent crude settling at $73.10 per barrel and WTI crude at $66.17, despite ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear talks.
