Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
Oil Prices Jump After New U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Supply Concerns 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
Mega IPOs Like SpaceX and OpenAI Could Reshape S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 Portfolios in 2026 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
Asian markets started the week strong, buoyed by a weaker dollar, China's ongoing recovery, and a shift from U.S.-centric trades. Japan's Q4 GDP data, expected to show 1.0% annualized growth, is a key focus, with business investment offsetting weak consumption.
The dollar hit a two-month low due to delays in U.S. tariff implementations, marking its longest losing streak since August. Emerging market currencies are rising against the greenback, except for the Indian rupee. The MSCI Asia ex-Japan index surged 8% over the past month, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng jumped 20%, and its tech index soared 30%.
China's tech giants Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent, and Xiaomi (BATX) have gained 22% since Trump's inauguration, outperforming America's 'Magnificent Seven,' which remained flat. Analysts highlight that BATX's $1 trillion market cap pales in comparison to the Mag Seven's $17 trillion, indicating potential growth if China continues excelling in AI.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co and Broadcom are reportedly exploring deals that could split Intel, further shaking up the global chip industry. Geopolitical tensions in the Russia-Ukraine war remain in focus as French President Macron hosts an emergency European summit, with peace talks seemingly limited to the U.S. and Russia. Prospects of peace are driving oil and the dollar lower while boosting European and Asian stocks.
Key upcoming data include Japan and Thailand's Q4 GDP figures, which could further influence market trends. Investors are keenly watching these developments as Asian markets continue their upward trajectory.
