Morning Business Report: Stocks rise as investors watch Iran tensions, inflation and AI earnings

Investors are keeping a close eye on developments in the Middle East, inflation data and upcoming earnings reports as Wall Street enters the final full week of June.

(LILAMAX)- Investors are keeping a close eye on developments in the Middle East, inflation data and upcoming earnings reports as Wall Street enters the final full week of June.

Oil prices and stocks were in focus after President Donald Trump threatened military strikes against Iran if Hezbollah continues attacks on Israel, raising concerns about ongoing peace negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Talks in Switzerland got off to a rocky start Sunday after Iranian media reported Iran had halted negotiations following Trump’s latest warning. However, people familiar with the discussions said talks were continuing.

Investors are also preparing for a busy week of economic and corporate news.

One of the most closely watched earnings reports is expected Wednesday when Micron Technology releases its quarterly results. Analysts say the semiconductor company’s outlook on memory demand and data center spending could provide insight into the broader artificial intelligence sector.

The market heads into the week after a strong finish before the Juneteenth holiday. The S&P 500 gained 1% and the Nasdaq Composite climbed nearly 2% as technology and semiconductor stocks led a broad rally.

Housing affordability remains a growing concern across the country.

A new report from Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies found the income needed to afford a median-priced home has nearly doubled since 2020. Existing home prices have risen 54% over that period and now stand at roughly five times the median household income.

High housing costs are also keeping more young adults at home. Realtor.com reports 25.2 million Americans under age 35 lived with a parent in 2025, representing about one-third of that age group.

Meanwhile, movie theaters continue to benefit from a strong box office recovery.

Disney’s “Toy Story 5” debuted with an estimated $312 million worldwide, marking the second-largest opening ever for a Pixar animated film.

According to box office tracking data, domestic ticket sales have reached an estimated $4.46 billion so far this year, the highest total since 2019.