Finance

Renewed military exchanges between the U.S. and Iran have created a jittery environment for global investors, leading to initial spikes in energy prices and transport concerns in the Strait of Hormuz. Despite these tensions, oil prices retreated toward $71 per barrel by the end of the session on July 9 as traders weighed geopolitical risks against broader economic data.

Recent FOMC meeting minutes indicate that central bank officials remain highly focused on broad-based inflation, which accelerated to 4.2% in May 2026. Under the leadership of Chairman Kevin Warsh, the Fed has shifted toward a data-dependent stance, signaling that further interest rate hikes may be necessary if inflation does not trend toward the 2% target.

Investor attention is focused on the initial public offering of South Korean memory chip giant SK Hynix on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. The offering, which saw demand exceed supply by sevenfold, is viewed as a critical test for the continued viability of the artificial intelligence investment theme in 2026.