US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
Dollar Slips Ahead of Key U.S. Jobs Data as Fed Rate Outlook, ECB, and Iran Talks Shape Forex Markets 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Peace Talks and Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
US Stock Futures Steady as Investors Await Payrolls Data and Monitor Iran Tensions 
Economic pessimism has set in – but there are reasons for Australians to be hopeful 
China Sets 1.25% Overnight Reverse Repo Rate Below Market Expectations 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Asian Stocks End Strong Quarter as Dollar Surges, Yen Hits 40-Year Low Ahead of US Jobs Data 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
Trump Questions Housing Bill as He Prioritizes SAVE America Act 
Canada Grants C$7 Million to Greenland Molybdenum Mine to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply 
Global Financial Firms Shift Asia Expansion Focus to South Korea as China, India Face Caution 
Asian Stocks Slip as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Lift Oil, Dollar Strength Persists 
RBA Minutes Signal Australia Central Bank Remains Ready to Raise Interest Rates if Inflation Persists 
Yen Falls to 40-Year Low as Markets Watch Japan Intervention and U.S. Jobs Report 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
European stock markets opened sharply higher on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump paused a military-backed effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, boosting investor confidence and raising hopes for a potential U.S.-Iran peace agreement in 2026.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index climbed 1.2% in early trading, while Germany’s DAX, France’s CAC 40, and the UK’s FTSE 100 all posted gains of more than 1%. Investors reacted positively after Trump announced that “Project Freedom,” a U.S. initiative aimed at securing safe shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, would be temporarily suspended.
The decision follows weeks of escalating tensions in the Gulf region, including attacks on strategic locations in the United Arab Emirates. Trump stated that the pause came partly at Pakistan’s request, as Islamabad continues to mediate between Washington and Tehran. He also hinted that significant progress had been made toward a diplomatic agreement with Iran.
Market sentiment improved further after reports emerged of talks between Iranian and Chinese officials. China, one of Iran’s largest oil buyers, is reportedly encouraging Tehran to avoid further conflict ahead of a planned meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump next week.
Oil prices declined after the announcement, with Brent crude futures dropping 1.5% to $108.22 per barrel. Despite the pullback, oil remains elevated compared to levels seen before the Middle East conflict intensified. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route responsible for transporting roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply, remains largely blocked by both U.S. and Iranian forces.
Among individual stocks, Novo Nordisk surged after reporting stronger-than-expected earnings driven by demand for its Wegovy weight-loss drug. Diageo shares also gained as investors anticipated increased beverage sales ahead of the upcoming soccer World Cup. BMW shares rose following quarterly earnings, while Norway’s Equinor slipped after releasing its latest financial results.
