Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
Trump Requests $11 Billion More in Farm Aid as Rising Costs Pressure U.S. Farmers 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
Oil Prices Drop as Strait of Hormuz Shipping Recovers 
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 
South Korea Remains MSCI Emerging Market Despite Reform Progress 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost 
White House Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Funding for Iran War, Farmers, and Ebola Response 
Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff 
Bessent Says U.S. Must Strengthen Supply Chains and Economic Security 
Malaysia Central Bank Moves to Support Ringgit Amid Foreign Fund Outflows 
Australia Jobs Growth Strengthens Rate Hike Outlook 
Asian Markets Rally as Micron and Qualcomm AI Outlook Lifts Global Tech Stocks 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Oil prices climbed sharply during early Asian trading on Monday, building on strong gains from the previous week as geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran showed little sign of easing. The lack of progress toward peace negotiations and continued disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have heightened concerns over global crude supply, driving market volatility.
Brent crude futures jumped more than 2%, reaching $107.48 per barrel by late evening trading. The surge reflects growing anxiety among investors as supply routes remain constrained. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy transportation, has seen limited oil flows, intensifying fears of prolonged supply shortages. This key shipping lane typically handles nearly 20% of the world’s crude oil, making any disruption highly impactful on global markets.
Recent political developments have further fueled uncertainty. U.S. President Donald Trump canceled a planned diplomatic trip to Pakistan aimed at facilitating discussions with Iranian officials. The move followed the departure of Iranian representatives from Islamabad, signaling a continued deadlock in negotiations. Despite an earlier ceasefire extension announced in April, tensions between Washington and Tehran remain elevated.
Compounding the situation, the U.S. has maintained a naval blockade against Iran, while Tehran continues to restrict access through the Strait of Hormuz. These actions have significantly reduced oil shipments since late February, tightening global supply and pushing prices higher. Additionally, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that Washington will not renew waivers that previously allowed the purchase of Russian and Iranian oil shipments currently at sea. This decision removes a temporary buffer that had helped offset supply disruptions.
As geopolitical risks persist and supply constraints remain unresolved, oil markets are expected to stay volatile. Investors are closely monitoring developments in the Middle East, as any escalation or breakthrough in U.S.-Iran relations could significantly influence crude oil prices in the coming weeks.
