Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Fed Decision and US-Iran Deal Details 
Oil Prices Ease as Markets Weigh U.S.-Iran Peace Deal and Strait of Hormuz Reopening 
German Auto Suppliers Turn Bearish as Investment and Jobs Shift Overseas 
Dollar Surges After Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Potential Tightening Ahead 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
Asian Stocks Advance as Nikkei Nears Record High Ahead of Fed Decision 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
Asian Currencies Stabilize as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High After Fed Hawkish Signal 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Eases Supply Concerns 
Asian stock markets mostly declined on Monday as investors turned cautious ahead of Nvidia’s highly anticipated earnings report later this week. Weak sentiment was further pressured by rising oil prices, growing Middle East tensions, and concerns over inflation after Wall Street closed lower on Friday.
Technology stocks led regional losses as traders waited for Nvidia’s results on Wednesday, which are expected to provide key signals about the future of the global artificial intelligence rally. Investor confidence in AI-related stocks has driven much of the market’s gains in recent months, making Nvidia earnings a major focus for global markets.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 1%, while the broader TOPIX index slipped 0.8%. Hong Kong stocks also struggled, with the Hang Seng Index falling 1.7% and the Hang Seng TECH Index tumbling 2.5% amid heavy selling in technology shares.
Chinese equities remained under pressure after disappointing economic data highlighted slowing growth. The CSI 300 Index lost 1%, while the Shanghai Composite declined 0.5%. China’s industrial output rose only 4.1% in April, missing market expectations, while retail sales increased just 0.2%, reflecting continued weakness in consumer demand and economic recovery.
Investor sentiment was also hurt by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Reports of a drone strike causing a fire at a UAE nuclear facility and Saudi Arabia intercepting drones over the weekend increased concerns about regional instability. U.S. President Donald Trump also issued strong warnings toward Iran, adding to market uncertainty.
Oil prices moved higher as shipping concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz raised fears of supply disruptions. Higher crude prices also renewed inflation worries, pressuring global equities.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 1.6%, Singapore’s Straits Times Index lost 0.6%, and India’s Nifty 50 futures pointed lower. South Korea’s KOSPI, however, outperformed regional markets, rising 0.2% as Samsung Electronics shares rebounded following positive developments in labor negotiations.
