U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
U.S. stocks closed higher Tuesday as easing geopolitical tensions and comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell boosted investor sentiment. The Dow Jones rose 507 points (+1.2%), the S&P 500 gained 1.1%, and the Nasdaq climbed 1.4%.
Markets reacted positively to a ceasefire announcement between Israel and Iran. Former President Donald Trump declared on social media that the ceasefire was “in effect,” sparking optimism that the recent 12-day conflict had ended. However, uncertainty remains after Trump criticized both countries for post-deal aggression. Israel launched new strikes in Tehran, citing Iranian missile fire. Iran denied involvement, claiming Israel violated the ceasefire beyond its official start time.
Oil prices fell sharply as the ceasefire eased concerns of supply disruption and inflationary pressure, removing a key risk premium from crude markets.
Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Chair Powell’s testimony to Congress signaled that rate cuts remain possible. “Many paths are possible,” Powell said, noting that the Fed is waiting to assess the economic impact of rising tariffs. He warned tariffs may lift inflation temporarily, though effects could be short-lived.
Two Trump-appointed Fed governors have recently supported July rate cuts. Trump also pressed for aggressive easing, criticizing Powell publicly.
In corporate news, Tesla (TSLA) extended gains after launching its Robotaxi pilot program in Austin, Texas, using 10 to 20 Model Y vehicles. Chewy (CHWY) shares declined following its $1 billion stock offering and a $100 million buyback announcement. KB Home (KBH) dropped after cutting its full-year revenue guidance to $6.3–$6.5 billion, down from $6.6–$7 billion.
