Gold Price Hits Annual Low as Fed Rate Hike Bets and Sticky Inflation Weigh on Bullion 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
Asian Stocks Slip as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Lift Oil, Dollar Strength Persists 
Trump Urges Gasoline Retailers to Cut Prices to $2.50 Per Gallon, Warns of Legal Action 
Dollar Slips Ahead of Key U.S. Jobs Data as Fed Rate Outlook, ECB, and Iran Talks Shape Forex Markets 
US Stock Futures Steady as Investors Await Payrolls Data and Monitor Iran Tensions 
Argentina Economy Shrinks 1.5% in April, Recovery Under Milei Loses Momentum 
China Factory PMI Seen Returning to Growth in June as AI Export Demand Supports Economy 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
RBA Minutes Signal Australia Central Bank Remains Ready to Raise Interest Rates if Inflation Persists 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Peace Talks and Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
Trump Questions Housing Bill as He Prioritizes SAVE America Act 
Yen Falls to 40-Year Low as Markets Watch Japan Intervention and U.S. Jobs Report 
China Sets 1.25% Overnight Reverse Repo Rate Below Market Expectations 
Asian Currencies Stay Range-Bound as Investors Eye China Data, RBNZ Outlook and U.S.-Iran Ceasefire 
Gold Prices Drop as Fed Rate Outlook and Iran Tensions Weigh on Market 
Oil prices edged higher during Asian trading on Thursday as conflicting signals over potential Middle East de-escalation kept energy markets on alert. Brent crude futures for May delivery rose 0.8% to $103.02 per barrel, while WTI crude gained 1% to reach $91.20 per barrel, partially recovering from losses exceeding 2% in the prior session.
The modest rebound came as traders digested cautious diplomatic developments out of Tehran, where Iranian officials are reportedly evaluating a U.S.-backed framework aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. Although Iran has yet to formally accept the proposal, its refusal to outright reject it has injected a degree of cautious optimism into the market. However, Iranian authorities publicly denied engaging in direct talks with Washington, citing unresolved core differences, which continued to fuel uncertainty among investors.
Crude oil prices have experienced extreme volatility in recent weeks following disruptions to energy flows from the Gulf region, a cornerstone of global crude supply. Earlier this month, Brent surged past $119 per barrel driven by fears of major supply outages, underscoring how sensitive energy markets remain to geopolitical risk in the region.
A central concern for oil traders remains the Strait of Hormuz, the critical shipping corridor through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes. Any renewed threat to navigation through the waterway could quickly reignite upward pressure on global crude prices.
Wednesday's price decline reflected market relief following early ceasefire reports, which temporarily reduced the geopolitical risk premium built into oil valuations. Meanwhile, Washington's warnings of stronger economic measures should Iran fail to engage meaningfully added yet another layer of complexity to an already fragile outlook.
With diplomatic negotiations fluid and regional tensions unresolved, oil markets are expected to remain highly sensitive to any new developments in the coming days.
