US equity futures are sharply lower, as risk sentiment deteriorated amid escalating Middle East tensions. Asian markets fell broadly, European equities are also trading lower. Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets, prompting fears of regional escalation. President Trump said the US was not involved but convened his cabinet; Israel declared a state of emergency and signaled operations may continue for days. Trump reiterated unilateral tariff threats and raised the prospect of 25% auto tariffs. Trade talks with Japan, India, and the EU remain challenging ahead of the G7 summit. US inflation data showed further cooling; jobless claims steady but continuing claims rose to a multi-year high.
Companies Mentioned: NVIDIA, Thermo Fisher Scientific, CK Hutchison Holdings, COSCO SHIPPING Holdings, Blackrock