U.S.-China Trade Talks Head to Paris as Officials Push for Balanced Economic Relations 
Iran War Sends Oil Prices Surging Past $100 as Hormuz Crisis Deepens 
Global EV Sales Slump in February as China Records Steepest Decline Since COVID-19 
U.S. Markets Tumble as Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz, Oil Prices Surge 
Iran-Israel War Sparks Global Oil Crisis as Tankers Burn in Gulf Waters 
Oil Prices Retreat as U.S.-Iran Conflict Disrupts Global Energy Markets 
U.S. Stocks Slide as Iran War Fuels Oil Price Volatility and Market Uncertainty 
Trump Seeks Global Coalition to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid U.S.-Israel-Iran Conflict 
China's Economy Surges in Early 2026: Industrial Output and Retail Sales Beat Forecasts 
U.S.-China Trade Talks Resume in Paris Amid Rising Global Tensions 
Iran-U.S. Military Escalation Shakes Persian Gulf and Global Oil Markets 
Oil Prices Surge Past $100 as Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz 
Asian Equities Plunge as Energy Supply Shock Triggers $15B Capital Flight 
Gold Prices Slip as Iran Conflict and Fed Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Iran War and Oil Prices: What It Means for Airlines and Aerospace 
Dollar Steadies Near 10-Month High as Central Banks Prepare for Critical Rate Decisions 
Asian markets opened cautiously this Monday as ongoing hostilities in the Gulf region continued to drive oil prices upward, casting a shadow over the global inflation outlook. With most major central banks scheduled for policy meetings this week, investors are bracing for a period of prolonged economic uncertainty.
Brent crude edged up slightly to $103.27 per barrel, while U.S. crude slipped to $97.99, reflecting a nervous energy market watching every development in the Strait of Hormuz. A glimmer of hope emerged after reports surfaced that the Trump administration may soon announce a multinational coalition to escort commercial ships through the critical waterway, potentially easing supply disruption fears.
Central banks across the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Japan, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, and Sweden are all convening their first major meetings since the conflict began. JPMorgan's chief economist Bruce Kasman noted that policymaker forecasts will now lean toward higher inflation and slower growth, prompting many institutions to delay or scrap previously anticipated rate cuts. The Federal Reserve is widely expected to hold rates steady on Wednesday, with the probability of a June rate cut tumbling to just 26%, down sharply from 69% just a month ago.
Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of Australia stands out as the one central bank likely to raise its cash rate by a quarter point to 4.1% amid persistent domestic inflation pressures. Bond markets globally also felt the strain, with ten-year U.S. Treasury yields climbing to 4.26%.
Stock market futures showed modest gains, while investor eyes turn toward Nvidia's GTC conference in Silicon Valley, where cutting-edge developments in artificial intelligence and semiconductor technology are expected to take center stage.
The U.S. dollar remained broadly firm given America's advantage as a net energy exporter, while gold held steady at $5,022 per ounce, offering little safe-haven appeal despite the surrounding turbulence.
