US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
Asian stock markets advanced on Friday as renewed optimism around artificial intelligence stocks lifted investor sentiment, while the U.S. dollar remained near a six-week high after strong American economic data reduced expectations for imminent interest rate cuts. The MSCI Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan rose 0.5%, hovering close to a record high reached in the previous session, supported by strong earnings from Taiwanese chip giant TSMC that revived confidence in the global AI boom.
The positive momentum followed a newly announced U.S.-Taiwan trade deal that lowers tariffs on several semiconductor exports and channels fresh investment into the U.S. technology sector, a move that could heighten geopolitical tensions with China. Technology and financial stocks also pushed Wall Street higher overnight, with Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures posting modest gains during Asian trading hours.
Market analysts noted that TSMC’s upbeat outlook helped reassure investors concerned about slowing capital expenditure and AI-related spending. While the results did not trigger a major rally, they provided stability to AI-linked equities that had underperformed in recent months. In contrast, Japan’s Nikkei index fell 0.42%, pressured by a modest recovery in the yen after it pulled back from an 18-month low.
In Europe, futures pointed lower, with EUROSTOXX 50 and FTSE futures edging down after European stocks closed at record highs on Thursday. Currency markets reflected continued dollar strength, as the greenback traded near 99.36 against a basket of currencies. The euro hovered near a six-week low, while sterling edged slightly lower.
Strong U.S. labor market data, including a drop in jobless claims, has led traders to scale back bets on Federal Reserve rate cuts. Markets now see a higher probability that rates will remain unchanged in April and June. Meanwhile, oil prices stabilized after sharp losses triggered by easing geopolitical fears surrounding Iran, while gold and silver retreated as safe-haven demand softened.
Overall, global markets remain focused on AI sector performance, central bank policy signals, and geopolitical developments shaping investor risk appetite.
