China Sets 1.25% Overnight Reverse Repo Rate Below Market Expectations 
US Stock Futures Rise as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Market Sentiment 
Asian Currencies Stay Range-Bound as Investors Eye China Data, RBNZ Outlook and U.S.-Iran Ceasefire 
Canada Grants C$7 Million to Greenland Molybdenum Mine to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply 
RBA Minutes Signal Australia Central Bank Remains Ready to Raise Interest Rates if Inflation Persists 
Asian Stocks End Strong Quarter as Dollar Surges, Yen Hits 40-Year Low Ahead of US Jobs Data 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
Trump Urges Gasoline Retailers to Cut Prices to $2.50 Per Gallon, Warns of Legal Action 
Gold Price Hits Annual Low as Fed Rate Hike Bets and Sticky Inflation Weigh on Bullion 
Yen Falls to 40-Year Low as Markets Watch Japan Intervention and U.S. Jobs Report 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
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 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Trump Questions Housing Bill as He Prioritizes SAVE America Act 
European stock markets opened higher on Wednesday as investors balanced ongoing uncertainty surrounding U.S.-Iran peace negotiations with growing optimism over artificial intelligence-driven market momentum. The positive sentiment followed gains across global equities, while traders continued monitoring developments in energy markets and geopolitical risks.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index climbed 0.2% in early trading. Germany’s DAX advanced 0.4%, France’s CAC 40 rose 0.4%, and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 added 0.1%. Investor confidence was supported by continued enthusiasm for AI-related stocks, which have fueled market rallies worldwide in recent months.
Markets remain focused on diplomatic efforts to end the nearly three-month conflict involving the United States and Iran. The war has disrupted global trade routes, including the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for oil shipments. The disruption pushed crude oil prices sharply higher and increased concerns about inflation and slowing economic growth.
According to reports from Al Jazeera, indirect talks between Washington and Tehran are continuing despite recent military exchanges earlier this week. Investors are closely watching the negotiations, as any progress toward a peace agreement could stabilize oil prices and reduce pressure on global markets.
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda warned that rising energy prices linked to the conflict could have long-lasting economic consequences. Meanwhile, European Central Bank board member Isabel Schnabel suggested that the ECB may still consider an interest rate hike at its June meeting, even if tensions in the Middle East ease.
In commodity markets, Brent crude futures fell 2.1% to $97.52 per barrel. Although oil prices have retreated from recent highs above $100 per barrel, they remain significantly above pre-conflict levels near $70, highlighting ongoing concerns over energy supply and global inflation.
Investors are expected to remain cautious as geopolitical developments, central bank policy decisions, and AI-driven market trends continue shaping the outlook for European and global stock markets in 2026.
