Gold Prices Rise on Weaker Dollar and Ceasefire Hopes 
Middle East Conflict Threatens Global Economic Stability, World Bank Warns 
Federal Reserve Probes Big Banks Over Private Credit Exposure Amid Growing Systemic Risk Concerns 
Oil Prices Rise Amid Strait of Hormuz Tensions and U.S.-Iran Talks 
Japan Consumer Confidence Drops Sharply Amid Rising Fuel Costs and Middle East Tensions 
China's Inflation Data Misses Forecasts as Consumer Prices Slow in March 
White House Warns Staff Over Insider Trading Amid Suspicious Oil Market Bets 
Colombia and Ecuador Trade War Escalates With Retaliatory Tariffs 
Asian Markets Retreat as Gulf Crisis Fuels Oil Surge and Inflation Fears 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Ceasefire Doubts Weigh on Markets 
Trump Slams Iran Over Strait of Hormuz Oil Restrictions Amid Fragile Ceasefire 
BCA Research Warns U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Could Collapse, Maintains Cautious Equity Outlook 
Chinese Brands Are Taking Over Brazil — And It's Just Getting Started 
U.S. Inflation Surges in March as Iran War and Tariffs Drive Prices Higher 
Bank of America Maintains Forecast for Two Fed Rate Cuts in 2026 Despite Inflation Risks 
U.S. Futures Plunge as Iran Ceasefire Talks Collapse and Hormuz Blockade Looms 
Gulf Ceasefire Cracks Rattle Asian Markets and Push Oil Prices Higher 
Oil prices climbed sharply in early Asian trading on Monday, with Brent crude jumping 8% to $102.93 per barrel after President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. Navy would begin blockading the Strait of Hormuz. The move followed the collapse of weekend ceasefire negotiations between Washington and Tehran, sending energy markets into a frenzy.
According to U.S. Central Command, the military will enforce a full blockade on all maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports starting at 10:00 ET on Monday. The order came directly from Trump after diplomatic efforts in Pakistan ended without a breakthrough.
Vice President JD Vance led the American delegation through more than 21 hours of talks before departing Pakistan early Sunday with no deal in place. Key sticking points included Iran's nuclear program, the status of the Strait of Hormuz, and Tehran's continued backing of proxy forces such as Lebanon's Hezbollah.
The geopolitical fallout is already rippling through global energy markets. Iran had effectively restricted passage through Hormuz since hostilities first escalated in late February, a chokepoint responsible for roughly 20% of the world's oil supply. A full U.S.-enforced blockade now threatens to extend those disruptions indefinitely.
Iran responded by stating it has no intention of returning to the negotiating table with the United States. However, the Wall Street Journal reported that several Middle Eastern governments are actively working behind the scenes to facilitate a new round of ceasefire talks between the two nations in the coming days.
With no resolution in sight, analysts warn that sustained supply constraints could push oil prices even higher in the near term. Traders and investors are closely watching diplomatic developments as the conflict between the U.S. and Iran continues to reshape the global energy landscape.
