European Stocks Tumble as Iran-Strait of Hormuz Crisis Rattles Global Markets 
Oil Prices Rebound as Iran Denies U.S. Talks, Middle East Tensions Persist 
Gold Prices Surge on U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Reports 
Wall Street Slides as Iran War Uncertainty, Oil Surge, and AI Fears Rattle Markets 
Bank of Japan Eyes April Rate Hike Despite Inflation Dip, ING Says 
U.S. Stock Futures Steady as Iran Reviews U.S. Ceasefire Proposal 
U.S. Futures Slide as Iran Denies Nuclear Talks with Washington 
Asian Markets Rally as Oil Prices Tumble and Middle East Peace Hopes Emerge 
Suspicious Oil Market Trades Precede Trump's Iran Peace Post by 15 Minutes 
Federal Reserve Balance Sheet Reduction: Brookings Research Outlines Possible Path Forward 
Gold Prices Fall for Tenth Straight Session Amid Iran Uncertainty and Rate Concerns 
Australia's Inflation Eases in February but Core Pressures Persist 
Oil Prices Rebound as Iran Denies U.S. Talks Amid Gulf War Supply Fears 
Japan's Private Sector Growth Slows in March Amid Rising Costs and Middle East Uncertainty 
Bank of Japan Officials Signal Continued Interest Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Concerns 
Asian equity markets struggled to find clear direction on Thursday as investors navigated a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape in the Middle East. Iran signaled conditional willingness to consider a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, offering a rare but uncertain diplomatic opening after weeks of escalating conflict.
Japan's Nikkei gained 0.6%, while South Korean equities fell 1.2%. The broader MSCI Asia-Pacific index (ex-Japan) slipped 0.23%, heading toward an 8.7% monthly decline — its worst performance since October 2022. The U.S. dollar remained near multi-week highs, on pace for a 2% monthly advance, reinforcing its role as the go-to safe-haven currency during periods of global uncertainty.
The nearly month-long conflict, ignited by joint U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran in late February, has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint responsible for roughly one-fifth of global oil and LNG shipments. The resulting supply disruption drove Brent crude above $100 per barrel, with futures trading at $103.35, reflecting a staggering 42% monthly surge. Energy analysts warn that structurally elevated oil prices may persist regardless of ceasefire negotiations.
Soaring energy costs have reignited inflation concerns worldwide, prompting traders to abandon expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut in 2025. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde echoed similar concerns, hinting at potential rate hikes if energy-driven inflation proves persistent across the eurozone.
Currency markets reflected the broader risk-off mood. The euro held at $1.1562 and sterling traded at $1.3358, while the Japanese yen lingered near 159.43 per dollar — a level closely monitored as a possible trigger for government intervention. Gold, despite its traditional safe-haven appeal, dropped roughly 14% this month — its sharpest monthly fall since October 2008 — as surging yields and a stronger dollar weighed heavily on the precious metal.
