Market-Moving News

CENTCOM has expanded strikes beyond Sirik and Chabahar to Hormozgan and Bushehr, while Iran retaliates with missile launches from Lorestan; Iranian state media reports continued blasts and active air defenses across southern coastal provinces.

Trump warned of major retaliation after US casualties in strikes on Iran; IRGC rejects ceasefire proposals, accusing the US of using pauses to rearm, while claiming control over the Strait of Hormuz despite continued US-facilitated shipping.

UKMTO reported another potential maritime incident near the Saudi coast following an earlier explosion near a tanker off Jizan, as Houthi rebels continue a 'siege by siege' strategy against Saudi-linked shipping. Markets on Houthi-Saudi military action remain highly active through end of July.

France's business sentiment index rose in July despite Middle East conflict and heatwaves, signaling domestic economic resilience amid global volatility.

US stocks closed mixed on AI spending scrutiny while Nikkei futures rose 0.45%; markets remain highly sensitive to earnings, energy costs and Middle East headlines.

Burnham took office following Keir Starmer's resignation and is signaling closer collaboration with the private sector on economic stability and reindustrialisation, while managing his party's internal leadership dynamics.

UAE confirmed two national tankers, Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, were struck by Iranian cruise missiles, killing one and injuring eight; UAE condemned the attacks and reserved right to respond as UN calls for restored freedom of navigation.

The new suite includes 'Grok Imagine' for image generation and an app builder for instant app creation and publishing, with analysts citing Grok 4.5 as leading on performance-to-cost efficiency versus rivals.

Warsh addressed labor conditions, balance sheet policy, and bank stress test reforms before Congress; markets watch for signals on the July rate decision amid Warsh-confirmation-linked prediction markets.

US Central Command has conducted strikes against Iran for nearly two weeks, with US embassies warning of safety risks; the IRGC has now declared a formal policy to kill one American soldier for every Iranian killed, raising ceasefire and escalation risk for related markets.

ECB Chief Economist Philip Lane called recent volatility a 'medium shock' and expects inflation to reach the 2% target within a year, reinforcing expectations of no rate change at the July meeting.

The quake caused widespread damage including a collapsed Kumamoto shopping mall, with 300,000 residents under evacuation orders and soldiers assisting rescue operations; global earthquake-frequency markets are in focus this week.

Brent crude holding above $100 and WTI futures swinging (Brent settled down 3.88% to $96.78 in one session) reflect combined pressure from Houthi attacks, US-Canada tariff friction, and Fed rate expectations.

US forces are redirecting and disabling vessels in the Strait of Hormuz; UK PM Burnham has approved British bases for US defensive strikes against Iran, deepening Western military involvement.

New 50% tariffs on Canadian cars, dairy and alcohol take effect July 28 (USMCA-compliant goods exempted), while separate forced-labor tariffs under Section 301 draw sharp pushback from Australia and Brazil.

Christopher Nolan's film is projected to hit $900M after its third weekend and could reach $1.5B globally as it expands into China and Japan, setting IMAX pre-sale records ahead of 'Spider-Man' competition.

Spain's 2-0 win eliminates defending champion France and sets up a final in New Jersey against the winner of England-Argentina.

Trump and allied leaders wrapped a defense-spending-focused summit that drew criticism from Iran and China, with Erdogan gifting revolvers to leaders and unusual praise for Trump's rapport with Turkish officers.

The administration defended the tariffs as 'very standard' while acknowledging other methods were easier, continuing to use trade penalties as a primary policy tool despite pushback.

Russia confirmed massive missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian defense industry and airfields over the past week, materializing Zelenskiy's warnings of an imminent large-scale offensive.

BoC kept rates steady, noting the economy is growing again while balancing domestic demand against excess supply and housing-related transmission issues.

Following a private Trump meeting, Ukraine's delegation met Lockheed Martin to discuss joint production of Patriot systems, HIMARS, and F-16s, part of a broader push for long-term defense self-sufficiency ahead of any peace talks.

CPI and PPI data show inflation slowing on falling energy prices, triggering a global market rally and weaker dollar as rate-hike expectations fade, though analysts warn the relief may be temporary.

A new administration report claims Chinese theft of voter data, a Venezuelan vote-manipulation plot, and 278,000 non-citizens on voter rolls, which Trump is using to push the SAVE America election-reform initiative and SAVE Act.

WTI settled at $79.26 and Brent at $84.09, both down more than 4%, as traders weighed shifting supply dynamics amid Middle East tensions and broader risk-off sentiment.

Trump and Lebanese President Aoun discuss Hezbollah disarmament and Israeli withdrawal; Israel's Channel 12 reports formal Israel-Lebanon negotiations to begin in Italy within two weeks.

Iranian forces targeted U.S. and allied positions across the Gulf; Kuwaiti and Bahraini air defenses engaged incoming threats, with a fire from the attack brought under control in Kuwait.

Kuwait reported major damage to water and power facilities from Iranian strikes under 'Operation Nasr 2,' including a new fire at its largest power plant, as Iran warns any territory used against it remains a target.

Cabinet support is declining as Finance Minister Katayama defended a proactive fiscal blueprint omitting BoJ-government history, amid a 370 trillion yen investment push and scrutiny from JGB markets ahead of the BoJ's July decision.

The BOK raised rates to fight inflation as Kospi slid into bear-market territory, pressuring regional tech stocks and the won.

Q2 net income hit NT$706.6B on a 77.4% AI-hardware demand surge; D.A. Davidson raised its target to $500, though shares dipped initially in Taiwan trading.

Iran accused the US of exerting overt and covert pressure on mediator Oman as talks falter; Trump confirmed an 11-hour marathon meeting occurred despite calling Iranian leaders a 'bad group of people'.

The House passed the SAVE America Act as part of a $95B budget blueprint, with Trump and Sen. Ron Johnson pushing Senate Republicans to end the filibuster preemptively, drawing Trump's criticism of Majority Leader Thune.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage resigned his Clacton seat over a financial disclosure row, triggering a by-election he's branded 'The People versus the Establishment.'

Macron convened allies including Rutte, Zelenskiy and Starmer to coordinate on Ukraine, with South Africa's Ramaphosa also joining bilateral talks at the Elysee Palace.

The two leaders discussed Iran's nuclear program, the Abraham Accords, and a Lebanon framework, with Netanyahu calling it one of their best conversations; Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site reportedly was not discussed. Expansion of the Abraham Accords remains a key watch item.

Starship's 13th test flight, the first since SpaceX's IPO, ended in a successful soft splashdown in the Indian Ocean after deploying upgraded Starlink satellites.

Saudi air defenses intercepted drones launched from Iraq targeting petroleum facilities in Riyadh and the Eastern Region, while Houthis separately claimed strikes on oil transport infrastructure to Yanbu; Iraq's PM has launched an investigation and vowed his territory won't be used against neighbors.

Tsunami threat was cancelled after the quake struck near Puerto Madero; authorities continue monitoring for aftershocks and structural damage.

Karoline Leavitt confirmed Iran is actively talking to the US about reaching an agreement, with Trump expected to address Iran, the economy, and election integrity in an upcoming speech — a notable diplomatic opening amid ongoing military exchanges.

Maine's Secretary of State confirmed Graham Platner's formal withdrawal following multiple sexual assault and violence allegations, opening the Democratic nomination to candidates like Nirav Shah and Dan Kleban.

Kuwait Fire Force reported injured firefighters battling blazes from Iranian strikes; Bahrain's Interior Ministry activated sirens after a Patriot-intercepted missile raid targeting Sakhir Air Base; Saudi Civil Defence confirmed threats in Al-Kharj and Yanbu have since stabilized. The Arab League and GCC have condemned the aggression as a direct threat to regional security.

Iran's IRGC launched a surprise missile attack on US forces that was largely neutralized by Patriot batteries, while a senior Iranian official denied separate strikes toward Saudi Arabia, calling the accusation a 'major miscalculation.' US forces remain on high alert as ceasefire markets between Israel and Iran are closely watched through end of July.

Dharmendra Pradhan resigned amid nationwide student protests over paper leaks and examination scandals; Pralhad Joshi has been named the new Union Education Minister.

US Central Command confirms strikes on Iranian military targets to degrade threats to regional waters; a tanker explosion in the Strait of Hormuz prompts Iran to restrict transit coordination.

Zelenskyy met Burnham aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth, securing a pledge of new UK-made drone jamming technology and reaffirmed British commitment to Ukraine's defense.

England beat France 6-4 in a high-scoring third-place playoff for its best finish in 60 years, while Mbappe secured the Golden Boot with 10 tournament goals.

Deputy FM Gharibabadi declared the U.S.-Iran memorandum 'disintegrated' amid blockades, though Tehran left the door open to renewed talks — a major diplomatic breakdown running parallel to active strikes.

Paramount agreed to delay the acquisition until a court rules on a multi-state antitrust lawsuit or June 1, 2027, whichever comes first, extending uncertainty for merger-close markets.

The Writers Guild of America filed suit to block the $110B Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, joining a 12-state lawsuit already challenging the deal on antitrust grounds.

Trump called Iranian officials professional negotiators who have gained nothing from recent talks, reflecting continued US economic and diplomatic pressure amid the conflict.

Negotiators agreed on a structure for a 'pilot areas' process, though Lebanon's foreign minister insists dismantling Hezbollah's military wing remains a sovereign decision, complicating a comprehensive peace push.

Spot gold fell nearly 2% even amid geopolitical turmoil, as traders weigh Fed policy and inflation expectations against safe-haven demand.

Iranian officials dismissed reports of finalized talks with the US in Islamabad; Pakistan PM Sharif reaffirmed his country's mediation role after speaking with President Pezeshkian.

Peru's new president is requesting legislative powers from Congress to manage anticipated El Niño impacts, an early signal of her administration's focus on disaster preparedness and economic stability.

Netanyahu arrived at Joint Base Andrews for his eighth meeting with Trump, with discussions expected to cover countering Iranian influence and expanding the Abraham Accords while Katz and Levin manage acting PM duties in Israel.

Spot gold hit $4,061.79 as Iran conflict and hawkish Fed commentary drive haven demand, with volatility spilling across commodities and equities.

Strategy raised $544.5M selling 5.4M shares while holding 843,775 BTC steady, targeting a $100 price floor for STRC preferred stock through MSTR/BTC sales.

Shares have fallen below the $135 IPO price, down 40% from the June intraday high of $225 following the $86bn capital raise, hit initially by a Starship launch abort and now facing heavy short interest.

A BofA Fund Manager Survey shows 83% of investors don't expect a Fed hike before the November midterms, even as hawkish rhetoric and Mideast tensions push some to price in earlier action.

Warsh has launched task forces consulting 19 policymakers to evaluate the ample reserves regime, promising advance notice of any future balance sheet policy changes.

Deep discounts to sustain volume hurt margins; Piper Sandler cut its price target by $50 to $450 as investors weigh heavy AI infrastructure capex against earnings misses.

Banks cut price targets after Netflix's disappointing growth outlook, though some analysts still see upside from sports streaming; the selloff is adding to broader market pressure alongside SpaceX weakness.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and son Mojtaba Khamenei both issued rare public statements calling for national unity and resistance, fueling speculation about succession planning as Iran faces direct conflict with the US and regional partners.

Iran's new Supreme Leader declared avenging his father a 'demand of the nation' at a funeral government claims drew over 10 million mourners, raising odds on continued escalation and leadership-stability markets.

President Sulyok signs a constitutional amendment ending his term as PM Magyar restructures government; Orbán calls new officials illegitimate amid claims of media blackout on the political friction.

CDC is tracking 7,400 additional suspected cases linked to shredded lettuce beyond the 4,173 confirmed, as Mexican officials dispute Taylor Farms as the source.

Mass mourning ceremonies in Mashhad and burial of a martyred leader and family underscore an active leadership transition, with markets tracking whether Mojtaba Khamenei becomes head of state.

White House officials say Trump will allow the housing bill to pass despite earlier threatening a veto over the Senate's failure to pass the SAVE America Act citizenship-voting provision.

Araghchi and Sybiha discussed bilateral ties and the death of an Iranian sailor in a Caspian Sea attack, with Ukraine urging Tehran to halt support for Russia's war effort—an unusual direct diplomatic channel amid regional tensions.

Israel's security cabinet approved entry of an international Peace Council and granted legal immunity to a stabilization force operating beyond IDF control, a key step in the postwar Gaza roadmap.

Qatar's transport ministry announced maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz will fully normalize starting July 26 after IRGC Navy-related disruptions, following diplomatic pressure from the EU's Kallas.

Nikkei reports the Bank of Japan is expected to keep rates steady while potentially downgrading its FY26 core CPI outlook from 2.8%, balancing inflation overshoot risk against economic stability.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard claims to have stopped four US-linked tankers via missile and drone strikes, warning Gulf states not to rely on American protection; markets watching for normalization of shipping traffic.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards say they destroyed US carrier logistics/refueling infrastructure at Duqm; Oman summons Iran's ambassador, calling the drone strikes on Musandam and Central Governorate 'irresponsible.'

Consumer sentiment rose to 54.4 with 1-year inflation expectations dropping to 4.2%, a modestly positive signal for the Fed's outlook.

Iran's government disclosed major gas production losses from the US conflict, while Israel's Defense Minister said Washington is blocking further strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure Israel wants to hit.

SpaceX has erased over $1.2 trillion in value amid AI valuation jitters and geopolitical risk, with investors watching an August 6 lock-up expiry for further volatility despite continued operational milestones.

UK seeks extradition on 59 charges including rape and trafficking with seven identified victims; brothers deny allegations amid parallel Romanian proceedings.

Darline Graham Nordone, recently appointed to fill her late brother Lindsey Graham's seat, announced her Senate candidacy with Trump's endorsement ahead of the August 11 special primary, facing competition from Rep. Ralph Norman.

Energy Secretary Wright confirmed the proposed 20% cargo toll on Strait of Hormuz traffic is scrapped, shifting instead toward direct investment deals with Gulf partners to keep oil flowing freely.

The Effective Fed Funds Rate stayed at 3.63% through late July with a hike seen as unprecedented per Bank of America, while rising oil prices are flagged as a key inflation risk and silver markets test key levels.

Netanyahu met Trump to discuss Gaza force coordination and Iran's nuclear program; separately the White House confirmed Trump will host Zelenskiy in Washington next week to discuss Ukraine.

Chancellor Merz is consolidating executive control over parliamentary leadership and has signaled further cabinet changes are coming, though implementation will take time, keeping CDU/CSU succession markets active.

The Fraternal Order of Police endorsed the digital-asset framework bill after revisions addressing crypto fraud, though it still needs broader bipartisan support for a floor vote.

Google set pricing at $1.50/million input and $7.50/million output tokens for its new Gemini 3.6 Flash family, expanding its efficiency-focused model lineup.

Unconfirmed explosion reports triggered emergency sirens at Bahrain's Interior Ministry and the US Fifth Fleet headquarters, with residents told to seek shelter amid the widening regional conflict.

PayPal's board called the joint $60.50/share offer from Stripe and Advent International (backed by Block) inadequate, continuing to weigh it against a standalone growth strategy.

Investment banking surge tied to SpaceX's IPO also lifted Citigroup to a decade-high revenue; Dimon flags risk-on conditions alongside warnings of economic tipping points.

SpaceX is targeting Friday for its next Starship test flight as it continues iterating toward full reusability following prior successful test flights.

Iran's ambassador to Pakistan announced Tehran is suspending its 14-point memorandum with the US, alleging Washington misused the deal to seize Hormuz territory and strike Iranian infrastructure—formalizing a diplomatic rupture amid active combat.

The Pacific storm intensified into a major Category 4 hurricane per NHC, with forecasters tracking its trajectory for coastal impact.

Government bonds sold off initially on Burnham's borrowing comments but stabilized as investors await concrete policy and cooling rate-hike expectations.

PM Takaichi targets over 1% real and 3% nominal growth while balancing fiscal sustainability, as markets watch for BOJ rate moves at the July meeting.

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh recruited Marc Andreessen and Asha Sharma to inform policy ahead of his July 15 Senate Banking Committee appearance, as markets weigh his confirmation against 2026 rate-path bets.

Sources indicate the Bank of Japan will likely pause rate hikes at its July meeting while maintaining guidance signaling future increases.

Jackson replaces a scandal-hit candidate as the Democratic nominee to succeed Graham Platner, reshaping the competitive Maine Senate race with just over 100 days to the vote.

US and Israeli intelligence flag an active Iranian assassination plot against Trump as Mojtaba Khamenei, now Iran's successor leader, plans a Tehran commemoration ceremony for his father.

Trump publicly called for eliminating Daylight Savings Time, reviving a long-standing debate, though no formal legislative push has been confirmed.

Trump and conservative commentators including Victor Davis Hanson framed Zohran Mamdani's rhetoric as 'Godless communism,' part of a broader strategy to paint Democratic policies as anti-American.

Following the funeral of the slain Supreme Leader, the Assembly of Experts issued a statement backing Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei's call for unity and 'vengeance,' signaling leadership continuity amid the war.

A new Chinese missile test spurs allied nations to accelerate Pacific defense-cooperation talks, feeding into Taiwan-conflict market watchers.

Lebanon's participation in upcoming negotiations marks a step forward for border-dispute diplomacy, relevant to markets on Israeli withdrawal timelines and normalization.

A bipartisan bill restricting Wall Street purchases of single-family homes became law at midnight despite Trump declining to sign it, settling markets tracking presidential action on the legislation.

The Vice President-elect said there is clear evidence Tyler Robinson killed Charlie Kirk while questioning whether he was radicalized or had outside encouragement.

Despite ongoing naval standoffs in the Gulf of Oman, Trump has reportedly set aside plans for a sharp military escalation against Iran citing air-defense interceptor stockpile concerns, supporting continued ceasefire-related market bets.

IDF continues shelling in southern Lebanon; Health Ministry puts death toll since March at 4,322 with over 12,000 wounded, keeping Litani River withdrawal markets in focus.

UAE, Kuwait and the GCC are ramping up diplomatic and military responses to Iranian aggression, with the US Embassy in Bahrain warning of possible strikes on Manama; markets are pricing rising odds of an Iranian attack on a Gulf state.

South Korea's chipmaker lists on Nasdaq in a record-breaking listing, boosting FX inflows and fueling SK Group's AI expansion plans, relevant to 2026 IPO market-cap contests.

A Trump administration pause in strikes on Iran, mediated by Oman, sent oil prices lower and stock futures higher, though regional tension remains elevated with no shift yet to full-scale combat.

IDF warplanes, drones and sound bombs continue targeting southern Lebanon towns as the Lebanese Army and UN peacekeepers remain on high alert, keeping Israel-withdrawal timeline markets in focus.

AMD's $5B investment in Anthropic, alongside Samsung and SK Hynix supply deals, signals Anthropic building proprietary compute infrastructure ahead of a potential IPO race against OpenAI.

Trade Representative Greer detailed Trump's trade agenda focusing on origin rules and supply chain security, with Mexico's economy ministry scheduling a fourth review round for early September.

PAHO warns of worsening health risks from lack of clean water in shelters as recovery efforts continue on damaged electrical and water infrastructure in La Guaira.

Qatar's PM/FM engage Jordan, UAE, and Iran demanding an immediate halt to military operations threatening regional security, as shipping-safety proposals circulate.

NATO-allied F-16s shot down an unauthorized drone identified as Shahed-type over Romania, with investigations ongoing into its origin amid rising alliance-Russia friction.

Iran's FM Araghchi says a Ukrainian drone attack on the Iranian ship 'Ana' in the Caspian Sea killed one sailor, prompting Iran and Russia to jointly condemn the strike as an escalation.

The administration is debating restrictions on CXMT and YMTC as Apple lobbies to keep using their chips; CXMT is still pressing ahead with IPO plans amid the scrutiny.

A tanker struck a sea mine and exploded in the Strait of Hormuz; Iran blames the vessel for deviating from designated routes while insisting it remains committed to diplomacy and freedom of navigation.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards have effectively asserted control over the Strait, prompting Qatar and Oman to coordinate on de-escalation and push for U.S.-Iran MOU implementation to restore navigation freedom.

President al-Sharaa proposed a multilateral safety pact with Israel to stabilize borders and reintegrate Syria internationally, without relinquishing Syria's claim to the Golan Heights.

Kuwait Petroleum's Project Peregrine lease-and-leaseback deal proceeds despite reported daily Iranian attacks in the Gulf, signaling investor confidence even amid regional risk.