German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
ASX Proposes New Share Dilution Limits for Public Takeovers 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Asian Currencies Stabilize as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High After Fed Hawkish Signal 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Eases Supply Concerns 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
Global oil prices soared Friday, posting strong weekly gains as tensions between the United States and Iran continued to intensify and the Strait of Hormuz remained effectively closed, fueling fears of a prolonged global energy supply crisis.
Brent crude futures climbed 3.3% to $109.27 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 4.2% to $105.41 per barrel. The sharp rally puts Brent on track for an 8% weekly gain, while WTI is set to rise more than 10% for the week.
Investor concerns deepened after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled growing frustration with Tehran. Trump rejected Iran’s latest response to a U.S. proposal aimed at ending hostilities and warned that his patience was wearing thin. In recent remarks, he reiterated that any agreement must guarantee Iran will not possess nuclear capabilities.
Market sentiment also remained cautious after Trump’s highly anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping ended without any major breakthrough regarding the Middle East conflict. Although both leaders reportedly agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to protect global energy supplies, no concrete actions or diplomatic progress were announced.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has become the biggest oil supply disruption in modern history. Nearly 20% of global oil and gas shipments normally pass through the critical waterway. While Iranian state media reported that some vessels recently crossed the route, shipping activity remains far below normal as tanker companies continue to avoid the area due to security risks.
The International Energy Agency warned that global oil markets could remain severely undersupplied through October, even if tensions ease in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, discussions between the U.S. and China also focused on trade relations, artificial intelligence cooperation, and regional security. Despite optimistic expectations ahead of the summit, investors were left disappointed as no significant trade agreements or geopolitical solutions emerged from the talks.
