Oil Prices Rise as U.S.-Iran Tensions and Strait of Hormuz Disruptions Persist 
New Zealand Economy Faces Short-Term Pressure but Recovery Remains on Track 
Oil Prices Slip Amid Iran Ceasefire Extension, Hormuz Disruptions Keep Markets Tense 
Iran Tightens Grip on Strait of Hormuz as Oil Prices Surge 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Tensions and Ceasefire Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Indian Cotton Yarn Exports Surge as China Demand Rises Amid Global Supply Disruptions 
Foreign Investors Drive Surge in Japanese Stocks Amid AI Rally and Improved Risk Sentiment 
Asian Stocks Mixed as Tech Shares Decline While Japan’s Nikkei Hits Record High 
Paraguay Holds Interest Rate at 5.5% as Inflation Remains Stable Amid Global Uncertainty 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Trump Extends Iran Ceasefire, Easing Market Tensions 
New Zealand Labour Backs India Free Trade Deal, Boosting Chances of Parliamentary Approval 
Nikkei Retreats After Brief 60,000 Break as Profit-Taking and Geopolitical Risks Weigh 
Rising Jet Fuel Costs from Iran Conflict Push Airfare Higher Across Europe 
Japan Exports Surge for Seventh Month as AI Demand Offsets Middle East Trade Disruptions 
U.S. Stock Futures Hold Steady as Investors Monitor Iran Tensions and Key Economic Events 
Asian equities are on track for a second consecutive week of strong gains as easing tensions in the Middle East push oil prices further below the $100-per-barrel threshold. Investors are growing increasingly optimistic about a potential resolution to the ongoing conflict, despite the Strait of Hormuz — a critical artery for roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas supply — remaining closed.
Diplomatic progress has been moving quickly. A 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel took hold on Thursday, while President Donald Trump indicated that a fresh round of U.S.-Iran negotiations could take place as early as this weekend. The news sent Brent crude futures down over 1% to $98.14 a barrel, with West Texas Intermediate dropping 1.6% to $93.15.
Equity markets have responded positively. MSCI's broadest Asia-Pacific index outside Japan edged down 0.6% on the day but is still up 14.5% for April alone, recovering most of the 13.5% it shed in March when the Iran conflict erupted. Japan's Nikkei slipped 0.9% after touching a record high the previous session. On Wall Street, both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs for the second straight day, buoyed by solid corporate earnings.
However, some market veterans are urging caution. Andrew Chorlton, CIO for public fixed income at M&G, noted a striking gap between what central bankers are signaling and what financial markets appear to be pricing in, describing the current investor mood as "somewhat complacent." ATFX Global's Nick Twidale echoed this view, warning that a full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is necessary before any sustained market rally can be trusted.
Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index hovered near its lowest level since early March, with the euro climbing toward a seven-week high and the risk-sensitive Australian dollar approaching a four-year peak. The IMF has already downgraded its global growth outlook, cautioning that a prolonged conflict could push the world economy toward recession.
