Wall

• U.S. stock markets closed the first half of the year on a solid note, though investors remain cautious ahead of new economic data. • Market participants are closely monitoring the monthly jobs report due this Thursday, as a "hot" economy could prompt the Federal Reserve to implement further interest rate hikes. • This volatility comes as Federal Reserve policy-makers remain laser-focused on containing inflation, making employment data a critical signal for future monetary policy.

• Wall Street analysts have updated their full-year financial models following the conclusion of the Q1 2026 earnings season. • Institutional conviction in June is shifting toward defensive cash-flow compounders and a property-and-casualty insurer. • This trend highlights a strategic move toward stability and companies benefiting from a multi-quarter underwriting recovery.

• Wall Street experienced mixed trading as AI-related stocks, including a surging Micron, offset losses from Apple following the company's decision to hike product prices. • New economic data revealed that U.S. consumer inflation accelerated to 4.1% last month, up from 3.8% in April, driven largely by earlier spikes in oil prices. • Despite the increase, the inflation figure aligned with economist expectations, preventing a broader market sell-off.

• Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh is addressing a complex economic narrative as U.S. inflation reaches a three-year high due to energy supply disruptions caused by the Iran war. • The Cleveland Fed's proprietary forecasting tool predicts a modest decline in overall prices for June, offering a glimmer of optimism for Wall Street. • Despite the projected dip, the situation remains precarious because a key inflationary indicator used by the central bank continues to stay stubbornly high.

• Indian markets are preparing for the June 25 session following mixed institutional activity, with FIIs selling ₹1,843.40 crore and DIIs buying ₹3,637 crore on Wednesday. • Global sentiment is bolstered by strong quarterly earnings from chipmakers Micron and Qualcomm, easing concerns regarding the sustainability of the AI-driven stock rally. • Asian markets showed varied performance, with South Korea's KOSPI surging 5% and Japan's Nikkei advancing 4%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng declined 1.5%.

• The S&P 500 has already risen 9% in 2026, with Wall Street analysts predicting further growth for U.S. stocks in the second half of the year. • Consensus estimates project a full-year revenue increase of 11%, marking the fastest growth since 2022, and an earnings surge of 23%, the fastest since 2021. • This optimistic outlook is driven by expectations of strong financial results from S&P 500 companies across the remaining quarters.

• The death of former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has reignited critical debates regarding interest rates, deregulation, and overall financial stability. • This shift in focus is prompting investors to re-evaluate the Federal Reserve's role in credit growth, labor power, and risk-taking within the financial sector. • The renewed scrutiny directly impacts US bank and insurance stocks, as different business models and balance sheets may now appear more appealing or exposed.