Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
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 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
U.S. Dollar Reaches One-Year High as Tech Sell-Off and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Support Demand 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Micron Earnings 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Asian Markets Rally as Micron and Qualcomm AI Outlook Lifts Global Tech Stocks 
Trump Requests $11 Billion More in Farm Aid as Rising Costs Pressure U.S. Farmers 
Australia Jobs Growth Strengthens Rate Hike Outlook 
Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
Gold Prices Fall Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar, Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Bullion 
Australian Household Spending Rebounds Strongly in May as Travel and Dining Drive Consumer Growth 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
Oil Prices Drop as Strait of Hormuz Shipping Recovers 
Asian markets opened with a cautious tone Monday as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continued shaking investor confidence. U.S. President Donald Trump's stern warning to Iran — threatening devastating military strikes if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed past Tuesday — sent ripples across stocks, bonds, and commodities at the start of the trading week.
Equity performance was uneven amid thin holiday liquidity across much of the region. S&P 500 e-mini futures dipped 0.2%, while the MSCI Asia-Pacific ex-Japan index edged 0.5% higher. Japan's Nikkei 225 outperformed with a 1.2% gain, and South Korea's Kospi climbed 2%, suggesting selective optimism despite the broader uncertainty.
Oil markets reacted sharply to the escalating standoff. Brent crude surged 1.4% to $110.58 per barrel after OPEC+ members agreed Sunday to boost output by 206,000 barrels per day in May. However, analysts noted the production increase remains largely symbolic, as several key Gulf producers have suffered significant damage to oil facilities and transport networks since the conflict began.
Bond markets reflected growing unease. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield rose nearly 5 basis points to 4.36%, while Japan's government bond yield hit its highest level since February 1999, climbing to 2.4% amid mounting inflation concerns. The U.S. dollar index held steady near 100.23, with the greenback flat against the Japanese yen at 159.64.
On the data front, March's U.S. jobs report offered an encouraging signal, with nonfarm payrolls rising by 178,000 — the strongest monthly gain in over a year. The unemployment rate dropped to 4.3%. Despite the solid labor market reading, market expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts remain muted, with traders pricing in no policy changes until September 2027.
Gold retreated 0.8% to $4,638.54, while Bitcoin advanced 1.9% to $68,915.85, and Ether gained 2.4% to $2,117.61. Investors will be closely watching upcoming releases including the FOMC minutes, CPI data, and personal income figures as geopolitical developments continue driving market direction this week.
