Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
Oil Prices Plummet Following Israel’s Limited Strike on Iran
Oil prices plunged in early Asian trade on Monday as easing fears of a broader Middle East conflict following Israel’s strike on Iran caused a sell-off. Israel's attack over the weekend avoided critical oil and nuclear sites, prompting traders to remove the risk premium on crude prices.
Brent and WTI Futures Drop
Brent crude futures, expiring in December, dropped 4.1% to $72.97 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 4.2% to $68.76 per barrel. Both contracts neared their lowest levels since early October.
Limited Impact on Iranian Oil
Israel targeted Iranian military sites but refrained from striking the country's major oil and nuclear facilities. Although Iran minimized the attack’s significance, the country threatened retaliation. The market had anticipated a major escalation that could disrupt oil supplies from the region, but Israel’s restraint tempered those concerns.
Despite this, the broader conflict persists, with Israel continuing its military operations against Hamas and Hezbollah.
Global Demand Concerns Resurface
With the immediate Middle East tensions easing, attention turns to economic indicators. This week’s U.S. and Eurozone GDP data, along with China’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI), will provide insights into global oil demand. Additionally, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, the PCE price index, is due later this week.
