U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
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 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Jump After New U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Supply Concerns 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
Asian stocks edged higher on Thursday, lifted by renewed hopes for progress in U.S.-China trade relations and gains in tech shares. Investor sentiment improved after U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at a possible trade deal announcement, fueling optimism ahead of talks between Washington and Beijing in Switzerland. However, Trump reaffirmed that his 145% tariffs on Chinese goods would remain in place for now, dampening expectations for a breakthrough.
China’s Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 rose 0.1% and 0.4%, respectively, as confirmation of the upcoming talks lent mild support. Beijing stated the meeting was initiated by the U.S., but insisted on tariff reductions before engaging in serious negotiations.
Regional tech stocks led gains following reports that the U.S. may ease Biden-era export restrictions on advanced AI chips. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.9%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.4%, and South Korea’s KOSPI added 0.3%. Shares of AI chip suppliers like Taiwan’s TSMC and South Korea’s SK Hynix climbed up to 1.5%, while Japan’s Advantest surged 2.8%. Chinese tech giants Alibaba and Tencent also advanced, driven by expectations of easier access to U.S. chips.
In broader markets, Australia’s ASX 200 added 0.2%, though banking stocks dragged after ANZ Group posted lackluster earnings and Westpac traded ex-dividend. India’s Nifty 50 futures rose 0.5%, signaling resilience despite escalating military tensions with Pakistan, which retaliated against Indian airstrikes in Kashmir. The Nifty gained 0.1% on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s Straits Times Index dipped 0.2%, and Japan’s TOPIX slipped by the same margin. Despite global economic uncertainties flagged by the Federal Reserve, regional markets largely tracked Wall Street’s tech-driven rebound.
