Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
Oil prices fell over 1% on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump urged OPEC to reduce oil prices to pressure Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine war. Brent crude dropped 1.11% to $77.63 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) declined 1.19% to $73.77.
Trump reiterated his demand for OPEC to lower prices, arguing it would hurt Russia’s revenues and help end the conflict in Ukraine. He threatened sanctions and tariffs on Russia and OPEC countries if a resolution isn't reached. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed willingness to discuss oil prices and the war with Trump.
OPEC and its allies, including Russia, have not formally responded to Trump’s comments, maintaining plans to raise output starting in April. Despite recent price declines, analysts believe Russian production will remain stable. Goldman Sachs noted higher shipping rates and discounts on Russian oil continue to attract buyers, mitigating sanctions' impact.
JP Morgan analysts highlighted risks, with nearly 20% of the global Aframax fleet affected by sanctions, suggesting a cautious approach to future price projections.
Additional trade disruptions loom as Trump announced retaliatory tariffs and sanctions on Colombia, the largest exporter of crude to the U.S., after it blocked two U.S. military deportation flights. Colombia accounted for 183,000 barrels per day of U.S. seaborne imports in 2024, comprising 41% of its total exports.
The Energy Information Administration reported the U.S. imported 228,000 barrels per day of Colombian crude and related products in 2023. As tensions escalate, the energy market faces continued volatility and uncertainty.
