New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
Mega IPOs Like SpaceX and OpenAI Could Reshape S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 Portfolios in 2026 
The MSCI global equities index fell on Monday, and the dollar rose after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell suggested that the central bank was not in a rush to cut interest rates. Oil futures remained flat, with trading volatility driven by tensions in the Middle East.
Brent Crude Suffers Significant Losses for Month and Quarter
Brent crude, a global benchmark, recorded its largest monthly drop since November 2022 and its biggest quarterly loss in a year. It slumped 17% in the third quarter as fears over reduced global demand overshadowed concerns about supply disruptions from the Middle East.
U.S. Markets React to Powell’s Comments
Wall Street experienced a mixed session, with some investors expecting more substantial easing from the Fed. However, Powell’s suggestion of two 25 basis point rate cuts this year, if economic conditions align with expectations, indicated a more measured approach.
“There were some expectations for a 50 basis point cut by the end of the year. That comment probably took it off the table,” said Robert Phipps, director at Per Stirling Capital Management in Austin, Texas.
Wall Street Performance and Quarter-End Adjustments
Despite initial declines during Powell’s speech, U.S. indexes rebounded, driven partly by quarter-end adjustments to portfolios. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.04% to 34,330.15, the S&P 500 rose 0.42% to 4,562.48, and the Nasdaq Composite increased 0.38% to 13,189.17. For the month, the S&P 500 gained 2.01%, and it rose 5.53% for the quarter.
Dollar Strengthens as Rate Cut Hopes Dim; Treasury Yields Rise
The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, rose 0.32% to 100.76. The euro fell 0.27% to $1.1133, while the dollar strengthened 1% against the Japanese yen to 143.61. Treasury yields also rose, with the 10-year note yield up 3.6 basis points to 3.785%.
Energy and Precious Metals Market Update
In energy markets, U.S. crude closed at $68.17 per barrel, and Brent crude edged down 21 cents to $71.77 per barrel, marking its largest monthly drop since November 2022 and its biggest quarterly decline in a year.
Gold prices, after a strong rally, eased slightly with spot gold falling 1% to $1,831.39 an ounce, while U.S. gold futures declined 0.54% to $1,829.90 an ounce.
