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Markets Digest Iran Peace Progress and Fed Rate-Hike Risk — June 22, 2026

  Markets are easing into a cautious start this Monday as investors return from a long weekend — U.S. markets were closed Friday for Juneteenth — and assess a mixed backdrop: tentative optimism over U.S.–Iran peace talks, a newly hawkish Federal Reserve, and a key week of economic data and earnings ahead. Oil is steadying, the Canadian dollar is under modest pressure, and Asian markets rallied while European and U.S. futures drifted slightly lower in early trading. 🍁 Canada — TSX & the Loonie The S&P/TSX Composite Index heads into Monday trading with a cautious tone, sitting near the 34,857 level after slipping 0.32% on Thursday — the last day Canadian markets were open. Energy stocks will be in focus as oil prices stabilize following weeks of volatility tied to the U.S.–Iran conflict and the partial reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The Canadian dollar is trading at approximately 70.52 cents U.S. (CAD/USD: 0.7052), down about 0.22% on the session. The loonie remains und...

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U.S. Futures Steady as Investors Await Economic Data and Powell’s Speech

 

U.S. stock index futures remained largely unchanged on Thursday morning as investors awaited key economic data and a speech by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The producer price index (PPI) for October and weekly jobless claims data are expected to be released at 8:30 a.m. ET, which could provide insights into corporate pricing power and the broader economic outlook.

Market participants are also keenly anticipating Powell’s comments later in the day, hoping for clues on future monetary policy. Traders are currently pricing in a high probability of a 25-basis point interest rate cut at the Fed’s December meeting, following recent consumer price index data that aligned with forecasts.

In premarket trading, Dow E-minis were up 0.19%, S&P 500 E-minis rose 0.09%, and Nasdaq 100 E-minis edged up 0.04%. Shares of cryptocurrency-focused companies saw gains, with Coinbase Global up 3.8% and bitcoin buyer MicroStrategy rising 3.4%.

Investors will be closely monitoring Powell’s speech for any indications of how the Fed plans to navigate the current economic landscape, especially in light of inflationary pressures and potential policy shifts under the incoming administration.


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