Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
Bessent Says U.S. Must Strengthen Supply Chains and Economic Security 
Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff 
South Korea Remains MSCI Emerging Market Despite Reform Progress 
U.S. Dollar Reaches One-Year High as Tech Sell-Off and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Support Demand 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
South Korea’s KOSPI Plunges as Apple Price Hikes and OpenAI IPO Delay Shake AI Chip Stocks 
BOJ Hawk Signals Faster Interest Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Risks 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Trump Requests $11 Billion More in Farm Aid as Rising Costs Pressure U.S. Farmers 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Micron Earnings 
Asian Markets Rally as Micron and Qualcomm AI Outlook Lifts Global Tech Stocks 
Global oil prices climbed Friday as escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz continued to disrupt energy markets, despite U.S. President Donald Trump insisting that the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran remains active. Brent crude futures rose 1.1% to $101.13 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude increased 0.6% to $95.40 per barrel as investors closely monitored developments in the Middle East.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route responsible for transporting nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply, remains under severe pressure following months of military conflict and shipping disruptions. Iran has effectively restricted access to the waterway since late February, triggering one of the largest oil supply disruptions in recent history. The U.S. military has intensified operations in the region, including actions against Iranian-flagged oil tankers and reported retaliatory strikes near key Iranian ports.
Although military activity has increased, optimism surrounding a potential peace agreement has prevented oil prices from surging further. Iran is reportedly reviewing a new diplomatic proposal aimed at ending the conflict, while U.S. officials continue awaiting Tehran’s formal response. President Trump described the latest clashes as minor incidents and warned of stronger retaliation if negotiations fail.
Meanwhile, investors also reacted to stronger-than-expected U.S. economic data. The latest nonfarm payroll report showed the American economy added 115,000 jobs in April, beating analyst forecasts. The unemployment rate remained stable at 4.3%, easing some concerns over economic slowdown while keeping attention focused on inflation risks linked to rising energy prices.
Fitch Ratings also revised its oil price forecasts upward for 2026 and 2027, citing the prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. The agency now expects Brent crude to average $87 per barrel this year as uncertainty over global oil supply continues to impact energy markets worldwide.
