US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
Oil Prices Jump After New U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Supply Concerns 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
Oil prices fell slightly on Thursday as investors remained cautious amid uncertainty over U.S. involvement in the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. Brent crude futures declined 37 cents (0.48%) to $76.33 a barrel by 0110 GMT, following a volatile session in which prices swung by nearly 3%. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for July slipped 28 cents (0.37%) to $74.86, after briefly dropping 2.4% before ending 0.4% higher the previous day.
With the July WTI contract expiring Friday, the more actively traded August contract dipped 21 cents (0.29%) to $73.29.
Market analyst Tony Sycamore of IG noted that prices still reflect a risk premium as traders await clarity on whether the U.S. will strike Iran or pursue peace talks. A U.S. strike could push oil prices up by $5, while peace efforts may cause a similar decline.
President Donald Trump added to the market's uncertainty by stating he has not yet decided whether to join Israel’s missile campaign against Iran. The conflict, now in its seventh day, continues to threaten Middle Eastern energy infrastructure, particularly the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 19 million barrels per day of oil and oil products flow. Iran, OPEC’s third-largest producer, pumps around 3.3 million bpd.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on Wednesday but signaled two potential rate cuts this year. Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasized the cuts would be data-driven and warned that Trump’s proposed import tariffs could fuel inflation. While lower interest rates may boost oil demand by stimulating economic activity, they also risk intensifying inflationary pressures, adding another layer of complexity for energy markets.
