Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply 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 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
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 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
The Japanese yen firmed on Thursday, reaching a two-month high of 150.62 per U.S. dollar, as investors sought safe-haven assets amid concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff agenda. The dollar held steady, while the euro and sterling eased, with the British pound slipping to $1.2594.
Trump announced upcoming tariffs on timber, cars, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals, echoing previous remarks about imposing a 25% tariff on autos and similar duties on other sectors. Investors remain cautious about the potential economic impact, though markets have grown accustomed to his transactional approach. Meanwhile, Trump also pledged tax cuts for individuals and businesses, adding to market uncertainty.
Federal Reserve minutes revealed officials’ concerns about inflation risks tied to Trump’s trade and immigration policies, reinforcing a patient stance on rate cuts. The dollar index hovered near a one-week high at 107.15.
In the Asia-Pacific region, the Australian dollar edged up 0.07% to $0.6350 after a mixed jobs report, while the New Zealand dollar remained flat at $0.5705. Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor Adrian Orr stated that another 50-basis-point rate cut would require a significant economic shock.
China left its benchmark lending rates unchanged, prioritizing financial and currency stability. The offshore yuan gained 0.1% to 7.2788 per dollar.
Geopolitical tensions also influenced market sentiment after Trump referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as a “dictator” amid ongoing Russia-Ukraine negotiations. Investors remain watchful as uncertainty looms over global trade, central bank policies, and geopolitical developments.
