US News-Economy

Employment

US Jobless Claims- 9th July

The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in the US fell by 2,000 to 215,000 on the week to July 4th, below expectations that it would rise to 218,000 for the lowest count in six weeks.

Meanwhile, continuing claims, which are seen as a gauge of outstanding unemployment in the US, rose by 8,000 to 1,814,000 in the last full week of June, the highest since late March but below expectations of 1,820,000. 

US Fed

Minutes 16-17 June Meeting

The minutes underscored the deep divisions among Fed officials, particularly over the future path of inflation. The policymakers generally expected inflation would decline as gas prices cooled and the effect of tariffs faded.

Yet many officials also worried that massive investment in the artificial intelligence buildout would keep inflation elevated by lifting prices for semiconductors and other technology goods.

Retail Sales

USA Retail Sales

Retail sales in the US increased 0.9% mom in May 2026, higher than a downwardly revised 0.4% rise in April and above forecasts of 0.5%, signalling a robust consumer spending. Core retail sales rose by 0.8%.

US News-Bullions & Crude Oil- 9th July

Comex Gold

Price: $ 4121.
Sentiment-Gold Futures prices rebounded slightly after US-Iran started tit for tat strikes against each other.

Gold traders are starting to overlook the US-Iran war as daily deluge of contrasting signals from both sides looks more cinematic. 

Nymex Crude

Price: $ 73.94-
Sentiment: WTI and Brent Crude are in slight uptrend after some sharp military exchanges between US and Iran.

But despite the fighting, things are moving towards talks as both US and Iran look to avoid escalating the conflict. 

Comex Silver

Price: $ 59.84-
Sentiments: Silver is in downtrend on stronger dollar and fall in Industrial demand.

The rally in Silver has paused and the metal is seen struggling due to strong dollar, higher Fed rate expectations and weak industrial demand.

Dow-30

Price: 52418-
Sentiment:Dow 30 futures jump 0.15% after the sharp sell off in AI stocks due fears of over valuation.

The stocks are muted as uncertainty returned to the market on renewed US-Iran hostility. US Fed minutes showed a divided house on inflation which also slowed down the fall in prices.

US News-Base Metals and Bonds

Copper

Price: $ 6.23.
Sentiment-Copper prices gained 2.08% in early US trade as strong US economic data, a mixed dollar and good industrial demand provided tailwinds to the prices.

S&P 500

Price: 7482.71-
Sentiment: The stocks are muted as uncertainty returned to the market on renewed US-Iran hostility. US Fed minutes showed a divided house on inflation which also slowed down the fall in prices.

Nasdaq

Price: 25870-
Sentiments: The stocks are muted as uncertainty returned to the market on renewed US-Iran hostility. 

The AI driven sell off has cooled down and stocks have rebounded after that but lofty valuation of tech companies is leaving very constricted room for the anxious investors.

Bonds

US 10yr: 4.56-
Sentiment: US 10yr bond yields remains elevated around 4.56 due higher rate expectation from the Federal Reserve in the coming months.

Renewed US strikes on Iran have led to rise in Oil prices increasing the inflationary prospects.

US-Iran War

US-Iran-Israel War in 2026 has created energy ripples in the entire world with Iran Blocking the Strait of Hormuz. US and Israeli strikes have killed the Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah and scores of Civilian and Military leaders.

9.00 AM: NY: US and Iran traded missile strikes on each other after US hit Iranian Missile sites on allegation of Iranian attack on Oil tankers in the strait of Hormuz.

Ukraine-Russia war

Ukraine-Russia war is going out for last 4 years and is the most prominent conflict in Europe after the end of WW II. Russia has occupied about 80% of the eastern Ukraine and is fighting to take over key cities like Kharkov.

4.38 PM: MOSCOW: Russia has launched series of drone strikes on key Ukrainian infrastructure around Kiev for the second night in the row.

US-Cuba

US under President Donald Trump is trying for a long time to control Cuba on a strategic basis. Recent US success in capturing Venezuelan Dictator Maduro and its Oil has emboldened the US president.

9.40 AM: HAVANA: Cuban government is maintaining a cautious autonomy till now despite US threats.

US-China

US and China is confronting each other is multiple trade and geopolitical fronts. Chinese movements in South China Sea and around Taiwan is a major point of concern between the two other than the trade.

9.40 PM: BEIJING: US-China trade agreement is still fraught with uncertainty as both push for trade space.