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 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
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 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
Asian markets opened with a cautious tone Monday as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continued shaking investor confidence. U.S. President Donald Trump's stern warning to Iran — threatening devastating military strikes if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed past Tuesday — sent ripples across stocks, bonds, and commodities at the start of the trading week.
Equity performance was uneven amid thin holiday liquidity across much of the region. S&P 500 e-mini futures dipped 0.2%, while the MSCI Asia-Pacific ex-Japan index edged 0.5% higher. Japan's Nikkei 225 outperformed with a 1.2% gain, and South Korea's Kospi climbed 2%, suggesting selective optimism despite the broader uncertainty.
Oil markets reacted sharply to the escalating standoff. Brent crude surged 1.4% to $110.58 per barrel after OPEC+ members agreed Sunday to boost output by 206,000 barrels per day in May. However, analysts noted the production increase remains largely symbolic, as several key Gulf producers have suffered significant damage to oil facilities and transport networks since the conflict began.
Bond markets reflected growing unease. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield rose nearly 5 basis points to 4.36%, while Japan's government bond yield hit its highest level since February 1999, climbing to 2.4% amid mounting inflation concerns. The U.S. dollar index held steady near 100.23, with the greenback flat against the Japanese yen at 159.64.
On the data front, March's U.S. jobs report offered an encouraging signal, with nonfarm payrolls rising by 178,000 — the strongest monthly gain in over a year. The unemployment rate dropped to 4.3%. Despite the solid labor market reading, market expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts remain muted, with traders pricing in no policy changes until September 2027.
Gold retreated 0.8% to $4,638.54, while Bitcoin advanced 1.9% to $68,915.85, and Ether gained 2.4% to $2,117.61. Investors will be closely watching upcoming releases including the FOMC minutes, CPI data, and personal income figures as geopolitical developments continue driving market direction this week.
