Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Eases Supply Concerns 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Fed Decision and US-Iran Deal Details 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
German Auto Suppliers Turn Bearish as Investment and Jobs Shift Overseas 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
Yen Near 40-Year Lows Despite BOJ Rate Hike, Markets Brace for Possible Intervention 
ASX Proposes New Share Dilution Limits for Public Takeovers 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
Asian stock markets declined on Thursday as renewed U.S. military strikes on Iran weakened investor confidence and raised concerns over escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The latest attacks reduced hopes for a near-term peace agreement, while traders also remained cautious ahead of the release of key U.S. inflation data later in the day.
Despite Wall Street ending at record highs overnight on optimism surrounding easing tensions and lower oil prices, sentiment across Asian markets turned negative after reports confirmed fresh U.S. strikes on Iran on Wednesday. The attacks marked the second round of military action this week and came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump rejected reports suggesting Iran and Oman would jointly oversee shipping operations through the Strait of Hormuz under a possible peace arrangement.
Oil prices rebounded sharply following the strikes, reversing part of the previous session’s losses. Brent crude climbed close to $97 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose above $90 per barrel. Rising energy prices increased concerns that inflationary pressures could persist globally.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index slipped 0.1% after reaching record highs in the previous session, while the broader TOPIX index edged 0.2% lower. South Korea’s KOSPI dropped 1.1% as semiconductor and AI-related stocks faced profit-taking after recent gains. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell nearly 2%, pressured by weakness in major technology shares.
China’s Shanghai Composite lost 0.4%, and the CSI 300 index declined 1.1%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropped 1.1%, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index fell 0.7%. India’s Nifty 50 futures also traded lower.
Investors are now closely watching the upcoming U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge. Markets fear that continued geopolitical instability and rising oil prices could complicate the Fed’s monetary policy outlook and potentially increase the chances of another interest rate hike later this year.
