Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
Oil Prices Jump After New U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Supply Concerns 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Oil Prices Surge on OPEC+ Output Delay
Oil prices experienced significant gains on Monday, climbing more than $1 following OPEC+’s decision to delay output increases. This market movement comes as the U.S. prepares for a presidential election and China’s key economic meeting.
Price Movements
By 0402 GMT, Brent crude futures rose by $1.18, or 1.61%, to $74.28 per barrel. Similarly, U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude increased by $1.21, or 1.74%, reaching $70.70 per barrel. OPEC+ announced on Sunday that it would maintain its 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd) output cut for an additional month in December, following a previous delay from October due to falling prices and weak demand.
Market Implications
While analysts from ING noted that this delay does not significantly alter market fundamentals, it may compel investors to reevaluate OPEC+’s strategy. The decision contradicts some market expectations for an output hike and indicates the group’s willingness to support oil prices amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.
Current Market Sentiments
Despite a recent weekly decline of approximately 4% for Brent and 3% for WTI due to record U.S. output, prices rebounded on Friday amid reports of potential Iranian military action against Israel. Market strategist Yeap Jun Rong cautioned that the upward trend in oil prices may face resistance, particularly around the $78.50 mark.
Upcoming Economic Events
As markets await the U.S. presidential election results, with polls indicating a tight race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, attention will also turn to the Federal Reserve's anticipated interest rate cut and China’s stimulus measures aimed at revitalizing its economy.
