China Sets 1.25% Overnight Reverse Repo Rate Below Market Expectations 
Asian Currencies Stay Range-Bound as Investors Eye China Data, RBNZ Outlook and U.S.-Iran Ceasefire 
Dollar Slips Ahead of Key U.S. Jobs Data as Fed Rate Outlook, ECB, and Iran Talks Shape Forex Markets 
Yen Falls to 40-Year Low as Markets Watch Japan Intervention and U.S. Jobs Report 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
Canada Grants C$7 Million to Greenland Molybdenum Mine to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply 
Argentina Economy Shrinks 1.5% in April, Recovery Under Milei Loses Momentum 
Asian Stocks End Strong Quarter as Dollar Surges, Yen Hits 40-Year Low Ahead of US Jobs Data 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Economic pessimism has set in – but there are reasons for Australians to be hopeful 
Trump Suspends Some Morocco Fertilizer Tariffs to Ease U.S. Supply Shortage 
Asian Stocks Slip as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Lift Oil, Dollar Strength Persists 
Global Financial Firms Shift Asia Expansion Focus to South Korea as China, India Face Caution 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Peace Talks and Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
US Stock Futures Steady as Investors Await Payrolls Data and Monitor Iran Tensions 
RBA Minutes Signal Australia Central Bank Remains Ready to Raise Interest Rates if Inflation Persists 
Trump Urges Gasoline Retailers to Cut Prices to $2.50 Per Gallon, Warns of Legal Action 
Oil prices climbed sharply in Asian trading on Monday as escalating tensions between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon renewed fears of supply disruptions across the Middle East. The latest developments have heightened concerns among traders about the stability of key energy shipping routes, supporting a strong recovery in crude oil prices.
Brent crude futures for August delivery rose 2.1% to $92.99 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained 2.1% to reach $89.20 per barrel. The rally came after both benchmark contracts posted weekly losses of nearly 10%, marking their steepest declines in several weeks.
The previous selloff was driven by reports suggesting that Washington and Tehran were discussing a potential ceasefire framework that could ease geopolitical tensions and reduce risks to oil supplies moving through the Strait of Hormuz. However, market sentiment shifted over the weekend after Israel reportedly ordered military forces to advance deeper into southern Lebanon, intensifying its campaign against Hezbollah despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
The renewed conflict has revived concerns that hostilities could spread across the region, potentially affecting critical energy infrastructure and major shipping routes. Investors remain particularly focused on the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit chokepoints, responsible for transporting approximately 20% of global crude oil shipments.
Meanwhile, negotiations aimed at securing a longer-term understanding between the United States and Iran appear to have stalled. Iranian officials indicated that several key issues remain unresolved, while reports suggested that any extension of a ceasefire arrangement would require approval from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Oil markets have experienced significant volatility in recent weeks as traders react to changing geopolitical headlines. Although reports of diplomatic progress previously pressured prices lower, analysts note that shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz remains below normal levels, indicating that supply risks have not fully disappeared.
As uncertainty persists across the Middle East, investors continue to closely monitor geopolitical developments, making crude oil prices highly sensitive to any changes in regional security and global energy supply conditions.
