European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
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 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
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 
Asian stock markets extended their losses for a third consecutive session on Wednesday as rising geopolitical tensions and renewed fears of a “Sell America” trade weighed heavily on investor sentiment. Markets were unsettled by escalating rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the potential acquisition of Greenland, alongside renewed tariff threats toward Europe, ahead of his closely watched speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The risk-off mood followed a sharp selloff on Wall Street overnight, where the S&P 500 dropped more than 2% and the Nasdaq Composite fell 2.4%, marking their steepest daily declines in three months. Concerns that foreign investors may accelerate selling of U.S. assets triggered a broad retreat from equities, bonds, and the dollar, which recorded its biggest single-day fall in over a month.
In Asia, MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan slipped 0.3%, while Japan’s Nikkei plunged 1.2%, extending its losing streak to five days. European markets also pointed lower, with EURO STOXX 50 and DAX futures down 0.4%. U.S. stock futures showed a modest rebound, but overall sentiment remained fragile.
The global bond rout showed signs of stabilizing after intense selling driven by surging Japanese government bond yields and worries over U.S. fiscal sustainability. Japan’s 40-year government bond yield eased to 4.145% after hitting a record high, while U.S. 10-year Treasury yields steadied near five-month highs. Notably, Denmark’s AkademikerPension announced plans to divest $100 million in U.S. Treasuries, citing concerns over U.S. government finances.
Safe-haven demand surged as investors flocked to precious metals. Gold prices jumped to a record $4,806 an ounce, while silver hovered just below its all-time high. In currency markets, the dollar stabilized after a sharp drop, while the Swiss franc hit a record high against the yen.
Oil prices declined as expectations of rising U.S. crude inventories outweighed supply disruptions in Kazakhstan. Overall, markets remain highly sensitive to geopolitical developments, central bank signals, and Trump’s policy direction as global investors brace for continued volatility.
