South Korea, US Discuss Warship Building Cooperation 
Australia Unemployment Hits Five-Year High Despite Strong Jobs Growth 
Oil Prices Jump 3% as Houthi Attack Revives Supply Fears 
RBI Uses $10 Billion Currency Swaps to Drain Excess Rupee Liquidity 
European Stocks Fall as Bond Yields and Geopolitical Risks Weigh 
Wall Street Falls as Treasury Yields Surge, Oil Rebounds on Iran Tensions 
US 10-Year Treasury Yield at 6% Emerges as New Market Risk Threshold 
Fed Unveils Stablecoin Rules Under GENIUS Act 
Gold Prices Fall as Treasury Yields Rise on Fed Rate Hike Bets 
U.S. Dollar Hits Two-Month High as Oil, Treasury Yields Surge 
Asian Stocks Fall as Bond Yields Surge Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit 
Asian Stocks Fall as Surging Bond Yields Rattle Markets 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Diplomacy Hopes Fade 
U.S. 10-Year Treasury Yield Hits 2007 High as Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High 
US Stock Futures Fall as Treasury Yields Surge Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit 
Oil Prices Ease as Iran Tensions Clash With Diplomacy Hopes 
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Asian stock markets showed a mixed performance on Friday as rising oil prices and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East weighed on investor sentiment. A fragile ceasefire and stalled U.S.-Iran negotiations failed to provide clarity, leaving global markets cautious.
The MSCI Asia-Pacific index outside Japan edged up 0.3%, marking a modest weekly gain of 0.8%. Japan’s Nikkei also climbed 0.45%, while markets in South Korea, China, and Hong Kong declined. U.S. stock futures showed signs of recovery, with Nasdaq futures up 0.6% and S&P 500 futures gaining 0.1%, following losses in the previous session. Meanwhile, European futures pointed lower, with EUROSTOXX 50 and FTSE futures dropping 0.65% and 0.9%, respectively.
Market volatility continues to reflect uncertainty around the Middle East conflict, particularly tensions involving Iran and the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices surged as supply concerns intensified, with Brent crude rising over 1% to $106.21 per barrel and U.S. crude reaching $96.77. Analysts note that despite ceasefire announcements, ongoing military threats and geopolitical risks are keeping energy markets on edge.
Currency markets remained relatively stable, though the U.S. dollar strengthened on safe-haven demand. The euro fell to $1.1684, while the British pound hovered near $1.3469. Attention is now turning to upcoming central bank meetings, including the Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, and Bank of England, as investors assess the potential impact of rising energy costs on inflation and interest rates.
The Japanese yen approached the critical 160 per dollar level, trading at 159.78, increasing speculation about possible government intervention. Japan’s finance ministry reiterated its readiness to act if needed, especially amid reduced liquidity during the Golden Week holiday.
Overall, global financial markets remain sensitive to geopolitical developments, oil price fluctuations, and central bank policy signals, all of which are expected to drive market direction in the coming weeks.
