Asian Stocks Rise Despite Middle East Tensions as Chipmakers Boost Markets 
Dollar Rises as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Goldman Sachs Delays Fed Rate Cut Forecast to 2026 Amid Rising Inflation Concerns 
Trump to Visit China for Key U.S.-China Summit With Xi Jinping 
Norway Core Inflation Hits 3.2% in April, Fueling Interest Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Currencies Slide as Iran Tensions Boost Dollar and Oil Prices 
China Inflation Jumps as Iran Conflict Drives Energy Costs Higher 
Oil Prices Rise as Dollar Gains Ahead of Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Trump Administration Seeks Court Pause to Reinstate 10% Global Tariffs 
Trump Says Iran Ceasefire ‘On Life Support’ as Oil Prices Surge Above $104 
Asian Stocks Slip as Korea’s KOSPI Tumbles Amid Iran Conflict and Chip Sector Profit-Taking 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady Ahead of CPI Data and Iran Conflict Concerns 
South Korea Central Bank Signals Inflation Concerns as Oil Prices Surge 
ECB Signals Possible Interest Rate Move if Inflation Outlook Fails to Improve 
US Auto Industry Urges Trump to Block Chinese EV Market Access 
Trump Rejects Iran Proposal as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Global oil prices remained largely unchanged on Monday as markets balanced growing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East against a sudden influx of Iranian crude hitting global supply chains. Brent crude futures slipped marginally to $112.11 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate hovered around $98.17 — widening the Brent-WTI spread beyond $14 per barrel, its largest gap in years.
Market analysts attributed the brief dip to thin trading volumes and short-term profit-taking rather than any fundamental shift in outlook. Michael McCarthy, CEO of Moomoo Australia, noted that underlying momentum still points upward, with a potential retest of the $120 price level remaining a realistic possibility in the near term.
Tensions escalated sharply after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to destroy Iranian power plants unless Tehran fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf responded with warnings that energy infrastructure across the Middle East could face irreversible damage if Iranian facilities were struck. Energy Aspects founder Amrita Sen cautioned that both sides appear locked in a dangerous cycle of escalation, with Gulf energy infrastructure at serious risk.
The ongoing conflict has already taken a severe toll on regional energy output. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint responsible for roughly 20% of global oil and LNG flows — has nearly ground to a halt. Analysts estimate current supply disruptions are costing global markets between 7 and 10 million barrels per day. Iraq has declared force majeure across foreign-operated oilfields, with Basra production plunging from 3.3 million to just 900,000 barrels per day.
In response to tightening supply, Washington temporarily lifted sanctions on Iranian crude held at sea. Indian refiners have already moved to resume purchases, with other Asian buyers also exploring similar options to offset the growing shortfall.
