U.S. Strikes Iran, June CPI Falls More Than Expected, OpenAI to Launch Smart Speaker

Huo Xing Finance News: 1. The U.S. Central Command stated that U.S. forces began a new round of strikes against Iran at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (10:30 p.m. Tehran time on the 14th). 2. U.S. President Trump posted that he has decided to replace the U.S.-proposed 20% fee on goods transported through the Strait of Hormuz with trade and investment agreements between the Gulf countries and the United States. 3. On the 14th, the U.S. Central Command posted on social media that U.S. forces had resumed maritime blockades on vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time that day. 4. At approximately 1:00 a.m. local time on the 15th, the Iranian military issued a statement saying it continues to conduct drone strikes against U.S. military bases in the region. 5. The office of Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Manturov released a statement that, following a visit by NASA Administrator Isaacman, Russia and the U.S. have developed a joint plan to conclude operations of the International Space Station by the end of 2030. 6. On the 14th local time, Iraqi Prime Minister Za’idi stated during a meeting with U.S. President Trump that U.S. forces must withdraw from Iraq by September 30 of this year. 7. The U.S. June Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.5% year-over-year, compared to an estimated increase of 3.8% and a prior value of 4.2%. The U.S. June CPI fell 0.4% month-over-month, compared to an estimated decline of 0.1% and a prior value of a 0.5% increase. 8. Following the release of the U.S. June CPI data, traders pushed back expectations for a Federal Reserve rate hike to October. 9. Federal Reserve Chair Walsh stated that the Fed has a “zero tolerance” policy toward persistently high inflation; although today’s CPI data was better than market expectations, he opposes selecting only favorable data points. 10. Federal Reserve Chair Walsh stated that the Fed is absolutely committed to achieving its dual mandate of price stability and maximum employment, which are not mutually exclusive choices. 11. The U.S. net capital inflow in May totaled $132.2 billion, revised up from $76.6 billion in the prior month; international capital inflows amounted to $132.2 billion, revised up from a prior value of $26.1 billion to $76.6 billion. 12. The U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass a legislative proposal to permanently implement daylight saving time and has submitted it to the Senate for consideration. 13. Citigroup maintains its three-month target price for palladium at $1,500 per ounce and for platinum at $1,950 per ounce. 14. Apple Inc. received a rare downgrade; KeyBanc Capital Markets lowered its rating to “Underweight” due to concerns over demand and valuation. 15. OpenAI is developing a screenless, portable smart speaker as an AI companion device with human-like traits, capable of controlling smart home appliances and deeply integrating with all ChatGPT capabilities. 16. Lucid stated that its liquidity is sufficient to sustain operations well into next year, and that related rumors are entirely false; Lucid’s shares plunged nearly 60% during intraday trading. 17. The semifinals of the 2026 USA-Canada-Mexico World Cup officially kicked off, with France losing 0-2 to Spain; Spain has advanced to this World Cup final and will face the winner of the “England vs Argentina” match for the championship. 18. All three major U.S. stock indices closed higher: the Dow rose 0.02%, the Nasdaq rose 0.9%, and the S&P 500 rose 0.38%. Memory-related stocks surged, with SK Hynix rising over 27%. 19. WTI crude oil futures settled at $79.34 per barrel, up $1.20, or 1.54%. Brent crude oil futures settled at $84.73 per barrel, up $1.43, or 1.72%. 20. COMEX gold futures rose 1.31% to close at $4,058.3 per ounce; COMEX silver futures rose 1.84% to close at $59.04 per ounce. (Caixin Global)