Daily June

• President Trump canceled planned U.S. military strikes on Iran following reports of advanced negotiations between the two nations. • The geopolitical shift triggered market volatility, causing Brent crude prices to drop nearly 3% to settle just above $90 per barrel. • Safe-haven assets saw a surge as gold prices rebounded by more than 3%, closing the session above $4,200 per ounce.

• Financial markets experienced a surge in risk-off sentiment on Thursday, June 11, 2026, triggered by a combination of economic and geopolitical factors. • Market volatility was initially driven by weakness in AI-related tech stocks and mixed May US CPI data, where headline inflation met expectations but core month-on-month figures fell below. • Geopolitical tensions escalated sharply after President Trump announced a second round of US strikes on Iran, which commenced around the US market close.

• The U.S. government has accused Chinese tech giants, including BYD, Baidu, and Alibaba, of providing critical support to China's military operations. • These companies are alleged to be aiding the military's capabilities, potentially through advanced technology, data, or infrastructure. • This development signals escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing over the intersection of private sector innovation and national security.

• The U.S. government has added several Chinese technology leaders, including Alibaba and BYD, to its military company blacklist. • This move targets "tech champions" deemed to be linked to the Chinese military or involved in activities contrary to U.S. national security interests. • The decision intensifies the ongoing trade and technological rivalry between Washington and Beijing, potentially restricting U.S. investment and trade with these firms.

• MarketBeat’s stock screener tool identified Eli Lilly and Company, Pfizer, and AbbVie as the top three pharmaceutical stocks to watch on June 8th. • These companies operate within the pharmaceutical sector, focusing on the development, manufacturing, and sale of prescription drugs, vaccines, and over-the-counter medicines. • The identification of these specific stocks serves as a guide for investors looking to diversify their portfolios with promising healthcare assets.

• Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit North Korea to strengthen bilateral relations and push for deeper ties between the two nations. • The visit marks a strategic effort by Beijing to stabilize the region and reinforce its influence over Pyongyang. • This diplomatic move is significant as it signals a shift toward closer cooperation amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific.

• US markets shifted asset allocations on Friday, June 8, 2026, following a May employment report that showed robust job growth for the third consecutive month. • The resilient labor market and persistent inflation risks have led investors to fully price in a Federal Reserve interest rate hike by the end of the year. • In response to these economic indicators, US Treasury yields increased, with the most significant rises occurring at the short end of the curve.

• Investor sentiment remained cautiously positive on June 5, 2026, driven by falling oil prices and hopes for a provisional peace deal between the US and Iran. • Global equity markets showed divergence, with the S&P 500 and European indices advancing while Asian markets and the Nasdaq declined. • The market shift was largely triggered by investors rotating away from chipmakers following weaker-than-expected guidance regarding AI growth.