Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Wall Street surged on Friday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closing at all-time highs as investor sentiment rose on trade deal optimism and growing expectations for interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Despite some volatility after President Trump ended trade talks with Canada over its digital tax on tech firms, all three major U.S. indexes logged weekly gains.
The Nasdaq officially entered a bull market, climbing more than 20% from its April 8 low. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 432.43 points (1.00%) to 43,819.27, the S&P 500 added 32.05 points (0.52%) to 6,173.07, and the Nasdaq gained 105.55 points (0.52%) to close at 20,273.46.
Investors are increasingly betting on a Fed rate cut, with CME’s FedWatch tool showing a 76% probability of a September cut and 19% odds for July. Economic data added fuel to the rally, with May’s PCE report showing unexpected drops in consumer income and spending, while inflation stayed above the Fed’s 2% target. Consumer sentiment also improved, though it remains below post-election highs.
In sector performance, consumer discretionary led the S&P 500, while energy lagged. AI stocks gained momentum as Micron’s strong outlook boosted investor confidence. Nvidia rose 1.8%, approaching a $4 trillion valuation. Nike shares soared 15.2% after better-than-expected guidance.
Market breadth showed advancing NYSE stocks outpacing decliners by 1.29-to-1, with 347 new highs. On Nasdaq, decliners slightly outnumbered gainers. The session saw unusually high trading volume, hitting 22.07 billion shares versus the 20-day average of 18.27 billion.
Overall, investors continue riding bullish momentum driven by AI optimism, monetary policy expectations, and hopes for global trade resolution.
