Economic pessimism has set in – but there are reasons for Australians to be hopeful 
Gold Price Falls as Fed Rate Hike Fears and U.S.-Iran Tensions Weigh on Bullion 
World Bank Approves $1.1 Billion Emergency Funding for Bangladesh Amid Food and Energy Price Pressures 
Trump Urges Gasoline Retailers to Cut Prices to $2.50 Per Gallon, Warns of Legal Action 
US Stock Futures Steady as Investors Await Payrolls Data and Monitor Iran Tensions 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Trump Suspends Some Morocco Fertilizer Tariffs to Ease U.S. Supply Shortage 
Asian Stocks Slip as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Lift Oil, Dollar Strength Persists 
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 
Dollar Slips Ahead of Key U.S. Jobs Data as Fed Rate Outlook, ECB, and Iran Talks Shape Forex Markets 
Asian Stocks End Strong Quarter as Dollar Surges, Yen Hits 40-Year Low Ahead of US Jobs Data 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Peace Talks and Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Gold Price Hits Annual Low as Fed Rate Hike Bets and Sticky Inflation Weigh on Bullion 
Gold Prices Drop as Fed Rate Outlook and Iran Tensions Weigh on Market 
Oil prices declined during Asian trading on Friday, putting both major benchmarks on course for a weekly loss of more than 4%, as signs of diplomatic progress between the United States and Iran reduced the geopolitical risk premium that had been propping up markets.
Brent crude futures for May delivery dropped 0.7% to $107.80 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate fell 0.8% to $93.72 per barrel as of early Friday morning. The pullback reflects growing investor confidence that a full-scale energy supply disruption may be avoided, at least in the near term.
Markets responded positively after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 10-day pause on potential strikes targeting Iran's energy infrastructure, citing ongoing negotiations at Tehran's request. Trump described the diplomatic talks as progressing well, fueling optimism around a possible breakthrough. Iranian officials, however, struck a more measured tone, keeping traders cautious about reading too much into early-stage discussions.
A key concern driving recent crude oil volatility has been the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping chokepoint responsible for a significant share of global oil transit. Any disruption to this corridor could trigger sharp supply shocks, which explains why escalating U.S.-Iran-Israel tensions sent prices surging in prior weeks.
Despite the latest decline, crude oil prices remain considerably higher than pre-conflict levels, reflecting ongoing uncertainty in the region. Traders continue to weigh the possibility of renewed hostilities against diplomatic signals that suggest de-escalation may be underway.
With global energy markets remaining sensitive to geopolitical developments, oil price movements will likely continue to be driven by the pace of Iran nuclear negotiations, Middle East ceasefire prospects, and any shifts in U.S. foreign policy. Investors and analysts are watching closely for updates that could either stabilize or once again jolt crude markets in the days ahead.
