U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
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 
Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
European stock markets traded slightly higher on Friday as investors remained cautious ahead of the release of critical U.S. nonfarm payrolls data, a report expected to influence expectations for Federal Reserve monetary policy in 2026. In early trading, Germany’s DAX rose 0.1%, France’s CAC 40 climbed 0.5%, and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 advanced 0.3%, reflecting guarded optimism across regional equities.
Global attention was firmly on the upcoming U.S. jobs report, which economists believe will show a slowing but resilient labor market. Forecasts suggest the U.S. economy added around 57,000 jobs in December, down from 64,000 in November. The data is closely watched as it could shape the Federal Reserve’s interest rate outlook after the central bank cut rates at its last three meetings in 2025, prioritizing concerns over labor market weakness despite persistent inflation pressures. While the Fed is widely expected to hold rates steady later this month, uncertainty remains over the timing and scale of any future rate cuts.
In Europe, sentiment was supported by stronger-than-expected German industrial production, which rose 0.8% month-on-month in November, defying forecasts for a decline and signaling potential recovery in the eurozone’s largest economy. Investors are also awaiting eurozone retail sales data, expected to confirm ongoing pressure on consumer spending.
Political and legal developments added another layer of uncertainty, including a potential U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the legality of Trump-era global tariffs and renewed focus on Greenland’s strategic importance amid U.S. interest in critical minerals.
Corporate news was dominated by the mining sector after Glencore confirmed early-stage talks over a possible acquisition by Rio Tinto, a deal that could create the world’s largest mining company. Elsewhere, U.K. retailer J Sainsbury upgraded its cash flow outlook following strong Christmas trading.
Oil prices rose for a third consecutive week, supported by geopolitical tensions in Iran and Venezuela, with Brent crude and WTI both gaining around 0.8%, underscoring ongoing concerns over global energy supply.
