Bessent Says U.S. Must Strengthen Supply Chains and Economic Security 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Micron Earnings 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
BOJ Hawk Signals Faster Interest Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Risks 
South Korea’s KOSPI Plunges as Apple Price Hikes and OpenAI IPO Delay Shake AI Chip Stocks 
Malaysia Central Bank Moves to Support Ringgit Amid Foreign Fund Outflows 
White House Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Funding for Iran War, Farmers, and Ebola Response 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
SpaceX Eyes Starlink Mobile Phone Service to Challenge Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile 
South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
Australia Jobs Growth Strengthens Rate Hike Outlook 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Gold Prices Fall Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar, Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Bullion 
European stock markets traded mostly higher on Thursday as investors reacted positively to reports that the United States and Iran are preparing to restart negotiations aimed at ending their ongoing conflict. Optimism surrounding a potential peace agreement lifted investor confidence across several major European indexes and eased concerns over global oil supply disruptions.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index climbed 0.1% in early trading, while Germany’s DAX rose 0.1% and France’s CAC 40 advanced 0.4%. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 underperformed, slipping 0.3% amid weakness in energy stocks.
According to reports from The Wall Street Journal, Washington and Tehran are working with international mediators on a preliminary framework that could relaunch formal peace talks next week in Pakistan. Negotiations are expected to focus on Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, and international inspections. While significant disagreements remain, markets welcomed signs of diplomatic progress.
Investor sentiment improved further after U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the military operation against Iran could end if Tehran accepts previously discussed conditions. U.S. stock markets rallied strongly on Wednesday as traders anticipated a possible de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East.
Oil prices moved sharply lower following the reports, as traders speculated that tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz could soon normalize. The critical shipping route handles nearly 20% of global crude oil shipments and has faced severe disruptions during the conflict. Brent crude futures fell 3.7% to $97.92 per barrel.
Corporate earnings also influenced European trading activity. Shell shares declined despite the company reporting stronger-than-expected quarterly profits, as investors reacted negatively to reduced share buyback plans. Meanwhile, semiconductor-related stocks gained momentum after Arm Holdings issued an upbeat revenue forecast, highlighting continued strong demand driven by the artificial intelligence boom.
