US Oil Blockade Deepens Iran’s Economic Crisis 
Japan Foreign Reserves Plunge $79.6 Billion After Record Yen Intervention 
Singapore Straits Times Index Hits Record High as Banks, Property Stocks Rally 
Hong Kong Eyes Offshore Yuan Expansion, Deeper China Market Links 
Chinese AI Stocks Rally After OpenAI Launches GPT-6 Astra 
European Stocks Flat as Iran Tensions, ECB Rate Hike Loom 
US Stock Futures Mixed as Strong Jobs Data Boosts Fed Rate Hike Bets 
UK House Prices Fall for First Time Since 2023 
Gold Prices Hold Near $4,500 as Fed Rate Hike Bets Ease 
Asian Stocks Rally as Fed Rate Hike Fears Ease 
China Expands Influence in Global Gold Market 
ECB Set for September Rate Hike as Energy Prices Fuel Inflation 
Turkey Targets 5% Economic Growth by 2029 
Iran Vows Tougher Response as U.S. Sanctions Squeeze Economy 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Optimism Fuels Chipmaker Surge 
Iran Plans New Gulf Restricted Zone as Hormuz Tensions Push Oil Higher 
JPMorgan Sees ECB Raising Rates to 2.75% in December 
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European stock markets opened higher on Monday as investors reacted positively to reports suggesting the United States and Iran may be moving closer to a peace agreement. The prospect of easing geopolitical tensions helped boost risk appetite across major European indices and pushed oil prices lower.
By 03:05 ET, or 07:05 GMT, the pan-European Stoxx 600 was up 0.6%, supported by broad gains across regional markets. Germany’s DAX advanced 1.0%, France’s CAC 40 rose 0.9%, while the U.K.’s FTSE 100 added 0.2%.
Market optimism increased after reports over the weekend said Washington and Tehran had reached an agreement in principle to end a conflict that has lasted more than two months. The reports cited a senior White House official, although a formal announcement has not yet been made.
A key part of the potential U.S.-Iran peace deal would reportedly include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route near Iran’s southern coast. The waterway is one of the world’s most important oil transit points, with around one-fifth of global crude flows passing through it. Its closure to much of tanker traffic in recent weeks has pushed energy prices higher and raised concerns about inflation worldwide.
Brent crude futures fell 4.3% to $95.90 a barrel as traders priced in the possibility of improved oil supply conditions. However, Brent prices remain above levels seen before the conflict began in late February.
Uncertainty remains over the timing and details of any final agreement. Issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions are still being discussed, while Iranian leaders are expected to take time before approving a framework deal.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on social media that he had instructed his representatives not to rush negotiations. He added that a U.S. blockade on Iranian ports would remain until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed.
In corporate news, Delivery Hero shares surged to an 18-month high after the German food delivery company confirmed it had received an indicative takeover offer from Uber.
