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Last updated: July 9, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Middle East Tensions and Global Markets

Oil futures fell Friday as traders assessed prospects for contained U.S.-Iran tensions, though after a volatile week. The WSJ Dollar Index declined 0.1%, snapping a three-day winning streak, as amid signs of de-escalation. Gold held steady in early Asian trade, with analysts noting that increasing tensions could keep markets on edge, while on a shifting macro outlook. Emerging-market stocks as risk appetite fluctuated, with investors watching U.S.-Iran tensions and oil price movements. Europe’s economy faces renewed uncertainty following President Trump’s declaration that the U.S. ceasefire with Iran is over officials said. Pakistan is urgently seeking liquefied natural gas after fresh hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz disrupted supplies according to reports.

AI and Tech Sector Activity

U.S. stocks rose Thursday as investors put aside concerns over the latest flare-up between the U.S. and Iran to pile into technology stocks, with the Nasdaq leading the advance. SK Hynix Inc. raised $26.5 in its American depositary receipt offering, marking the largest-ever U.S. first-time share sale by a foreign company. China’s AI star Zhipu after its $4 billion fundraising did little to boost its thin pool of tradable shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has been testing AI agents that reportedly beat the 60/40 portfolio in backtests. Meanwhile, OpenAI’s second-in-command, Fidji Simo amid a leadership shake-up as the AI giant prepares for a potential public offering. Computacenter shares rose as the FTSE 100 entrant capitalizes on the AI boom.

Asian Markets and Currency Movements

Asian stocks looked poised to gain on Friday after a resurgence in U.S. chipmakers drove a rebound on Wall Street according to analysts. The Indonesian rupiah’s balance of risks, according to MUFG Bank. China’s central bank set the yuan’s daily reference rate stronger than 6.80 per dollar for the first time since 2023 reinforcing expectations. Japan’s long-term bond yields fell and the yen strengthened after Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said the government wants to encourage pension funds to increase investments as reported. The New Zealand dollar advanced Thursday to its highest level in over two weeks following strong manufacturing data that increased bets on further monetary tightening. The Taiwan dollar fell to its weakest level since April 2025 as dollar strength and record dividend payouts weighed on sentiment reports indicate.

Corporate Dealmaking and Earnings

Carlyle will sell its data center power unit to EQT for a fivefold return, a deal that underscores a bright spot for private equity portfolio company sales amid strong demand for AI infrastructure. Activist investor Donerail Group is urging the board of Beazer Homes USA Inc. to engage with potential buyers after rival homebuilder Dream Finders Homes Inc. boosted takeover. German automaker Volkswagen as sales in China plunge, struggling to compete with faster-growing local companies. Aritzia’s profit surged on growth across channels and geographies, with the Canadian fashion retailer’s CEO pointing to particular strength in its digital business and continued gains in the U.S. according their. Hugo Boss urges shareholders to reject Frasers’ €2.7 billion takeover bid, stating the offer from its largest shareholder is "inadequate" the company said.

Economic Outlooks and Monetary Policy

France plans to invest €2 billion ($2.3 to cut dependence on fertilizer imports, aiming to shield farmers from future supply disruptions. The Bank of France raised its short-term growth estimate, indicating the economy will safely avoid a recession as activity improved. German exports unexpectedly rose in May, extending their run of growth to a fourth straight month thanks to a sharp rebound in shipments to the U.S. reports show. Minutes from Kevin M. Warsh’s first meeting as chairman showed heightened unease about inflation, which is running at a three-year high according to the minutes. The U.S. 30-year Treasury bond auction in nearly 20 years, underscoring how swelling bond supply is driving investors to demand higher returns.

Other Market Developments

At least $1.6 billion worth of Moscow’s diesel, fuel oil, and other products has been funneled from Indonesia’s Karimun island into major markets across the region. The Reserve Bank of India may be tested as it unwinds bearish dollar bets, with short dollar forward positions ballooning to $106.7 billion in May according to data. The commodity futures trading commission has blocked CME Group Inc.’s bid to start offering round-the-clock trading in oil futures for now. Bank of Nova Scotia has re-entered precious metals trading, six years after exiting the sector people familiar with the matter said. United Parcel Service Inc. and FedEx Corp. shares tumbled after an analyst warned that Amazon.com Inc. is offering inexpensive and increasingly fast delivery services to third-party customers according to the warning.