Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Oil Prices Ease as Markets Weigh U.S.-Iran Peace Deal and Strait of Hormuz Reopening 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
German Auto Suppliers Turn Bearish as Investment and Jobs Shift Overseas 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Asian Stocks Advance as Nikkei Nears Record High Ahead of Fed Decision 
ASX Proposes New Share Dilution Limits for Public Takeovers 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
Asian equities are on track for a second consecutive week of strong gains as easing tensions in the Middle East push oil prices further below the $100-per-barrel threshold. Investors are growing increasingly optimistic about a potential resolution to the ongoing conflict, despite the Strait of Hormuz — a critical artery for roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas supply — remaining closed.
Diplomatic progress has been moving quickly. A 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel took hold on Thursday, while President Donald Trump indicated that a fresh round of U.S.-Iran negotiations could take place as early as this weekend. The news sent Brent crude futures down over 1% to $98.14 a barrel, with West Texas Intermediate dropping 1.6% to $93.15.
Equity markets have responded positively. MSCI's broadest Asia-Pacific index outside Japan edged down 0.6% on the day but is still up 14.5% for April alone, recovering most of the 13.5% it shed in March when the Iran conflict erupted. Japan's Nikkei slipped 0.9% after touching a record high the previous session. On Wall Street, both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs for the second straight day, buoyed by solid corporate earnings.
However, some market veterans are urging caution. Andrew Chorlton, CIO for public fixed income at M&G, noted a striking gap between what central bankers are signaling and what financial markets appear to be pricing in, describing the current investor mood as "somewhat complacent." ATFX Global's Nick Twidale echoed this view, warning that a full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is necessary before any sustained market rally can be trusted.
Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index hovered near its lowest level since early March, with the euro climbing toward a seven-week high and the risk-sensitive Australian dollar approaching a four-year peak. The IMF has already downgraded its global growth outlook, cautioning that a prolonged conflict could push the world economy toward recession.
