Asian Stocks Slip as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Lift Oil, Dollar Strength Persists 
Asian Currencies Stay Range-Bound as Investors Eye China Data, RBNZ Outlook and U.S.-Iran Ceasefire 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Trump Urges Gasoline Retailers to Cut Prices to $2.50 Per Gallon, Warns of Legal Action 
China Factory PMI Seen Returning to Growth in June as AI Export Demand Supports Economy 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
China Sets 1.25% Overnight Reverse Repo Rate Below Market Expectations 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
Gold Price Falls as Fed Rate Hike Fears and U.S.-Iran Tensions Weigh on Bullion 
US Stock Futures Rise as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Market Sentiment 
Canada Grants C$7 Million to Greenland Molybdenum Mine to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply 
World Bank Approves $1.1 Billion Emergency Funding for Bangladesh Amid Food and Energy Price Pressures 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Global Financial Firms Shift Asia Expansion Focus to South Korea as China, India Face Caution 
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 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
Asian markets opened with a cautious tone Monday as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continued shaking investor confidence. U.S. President Donald Trump's stern warning to Iran — threatening devastating military strikes if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed past Tuesday — sent ripples across stocks, bonds, and commodities at the start of the trading week.
Equity performance was uneven amid thin holiday liquidity across much of the region. S&P 500 e-mini futures dipped 0.2%, while the MSCI Asia-Pacific ex-Japan index edged 0.5% higher. Japan's Nikkei 225 outperformed with a 1.2% gain, and South Korea's Kospi climbed 2%, suggesting selective optimism despite the broader uncertainty.
Oil markets reacted sharply to the escalating standoff. Brent crude surged 1.4% to $110.58 per barrel after OPEC+ members agreed Sunday to boost output by 206,000 barrels per day in May. However, analysts noted the production increase remains largely symbolic, as several key Gulf producers have suffered significant damage to oil facilities and transport networks since the conflict began.
Bond markets reflected growing unease. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield rose nearly 5 basis points to 4.36%, while Japan's government bond yield hit its highest level since February 1999, climbing to 2.4% amid mounting inflation concerns. The U.S. dollar index held steady near 100.23, with the greenback flat against the Japanese yen at 159.64.
On the data front, March's U.S. jobs report offered an encouraging signal, with nonfarm payrolls rising by 178,000 — the strongest monthly gain in over a year. The unemployment rate dropped to 4.3%. Despite the solid labor market reading, market expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts remain muted, with traders pricing in no policy changes until September 2027.
Gold retreated 0.8% to $4,638.54, while Bitcoin advanced 1.9% to $68,915.85, and Ether gained 2.4% to $2,117.61. Investors will be closely watching upcoming releases including the FOMC minutes, CPI data, and personal income figures as geopolitical developments continue driving market direction this week.
