Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Eases Supply Concerns 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Yen Near 40-Year Lows Despite BOJ Rate Hike, Markets Brace for Possible Intervention 
Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene as USD/JPY Nears 161 Amid Yen Weakness 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
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 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
Asian Stocks Advance as Nikkei Nears Record High Ahead of Fed Decision 
Dollar Surges After Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Potential Tightening Ahead 
Asian stock markets opened the week on a positive note, with major indices in Japan and South Korea reaching record highs, supported by strong momentum from U.S. equities. However, gains across the region were tempered by rising oil prices and ongoing uncertainty surrounding U.S.-Iran negotiations.
Investor sentiment was boosted after Wall Street posted fresh records, with the Nasdaq and S&P 500 closing at all-time highs. This strong U.S. performance fueled demand for technology and AI-related stocks in Asia, particularly semiconductor companies. U.S. stock futures remained largely unchanged during Monday’s Asian trading session, reflecting cautious optimism ahead of key economic events.
South Korea’s KOSPI index surged 2.3% to hit a new record, driven by robust gains in major chipmakers. SK Hynix shares jumped more than 6%, reaching an all-time high, while Samsung Electronics advanced 2.5%. The KOSPI has climbed nearly 5% in the past week, supported by strong semiconductor earnings and continued growth in artificial intelligence technologies.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 also reached a historic peak, rising up to 1.6%, while the broader TOPIX index gained 0.7%. Market participants are closely watching the Bank of Japan’s policy meeting, where the central bank is widely expected to keep interest rates steady at 0.75%. Investors are particularly focused on forward guidance, with speculation growing around a potential rate hike in the coming months due to persistent inflation pressures.
Despite the bullish equity performance, concerns over global oil supply weighed on broader market sentiment. Brent crude prices remained elevated above $107 per barrel as U.S.-Iran talks stalled and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz raised supply risks. Geopolitical tensions continue to influence market dynamics, adding uncertainty to the outlook.
Elsewhere in Asia, markets showed mixed performance. China’s Shanghai Composite and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index remained flat, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index declined 0.5% and Australia’s ASX 200 slipped 0.2%. India’s Nifty 50 futures posted modest gains, reflecting cautious optimism.
Overall, Asian markets remain supported by strong global cues and tech sector growth, but rising oil prices and geopolitical risks continue to cap broader gains.
