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Trump: War Has Diminished Iran's Military Capabilities
Former President Trump stated that the war has significantly reduced Iran's military capabilities, contradicting Democratic claims that Iran is now better off.
Czech National Bank Adopts Hawkish Stance
The Czech National Bank has turned hawkish as GDP growth is expected to slow to just above 2% this year but accelerate again next year, reflecting a temporary slowdown.
Gold pressured by hawkish Fed, strong dollar – UOB
UOB Global Economics & Markets Research notes that gold softened as hawkish Federal Reserve signals and a firmer US Dollar weighed on prices. An interim US–Iran ceasefire reduced inflation fears and pulled oil lower, further curbing gold's appeal as an inflation hedge.
WTI Pauses Decline as Crude Shipments Resume Through Strait of Hormuz
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil stabilized around $75.60 on Friday, recovering slightly after crude shipments resumed through the Strait of Hormuz, though the commodity remains under pressure from earlier sharp declines.
Ebola Outbreak in Congo: Dozens of Healthcare Workers Infected, Chinese Team Arrives
Conflicting reports from the WHO indicate dozens of healthcare workers in Congo have been infected with Ebola, with varying death tolls. A Chinese medical team has arrived on the ground, and Uganda is preparing its own response team.
Rabobank: Global Rates Converging at Slightly Restrictive Levels
Rabobank notes that unchanged rates in the UK and US contrast with recent ECB and Bank of Japan hikes, but argues this is less divergence than it appears, with global rates converging at slightly restrictive levels.
Rabobank: Strait of Hormuz Risks Ease but Fees Loom
Rabobank reports that a 60-day US-Iran memorandum of understanding has reduced immediate risks of a Strait of Hormuz closure, but shipping fees remain a concern.
Oil Rises as US Markets Shut for Holiday, Focus Turns to Europe
Oil prices moved higher as US markets close for a holiday and attention shifts to Europe. UK politics also come into focus with Burnham preparing to challenge Starmer.
Relief Rally Meets Hawkish Fed Reality as Oil Pulls Back
The market narrative shifts to the US-Iran peace deal and Strait of Hormuz reopening, with crude falling to around $80/barrel. However, a hawkish Federal Reserve is capping the relief rally.
Markets Shift to Need for Proof, Not Hope
Financial markets have entered a new phase where investors are no longer satisfied with hope but require concrete evidence to sustain gains. Last week's relief rally is now being tested for durability.
US-Iran Peace Agreement Boosts Oil, Markets Overlook Hawkish Fed
The interim peace deal between the US and Iran has spurred oil flows and lifted global markets, shifting investor focus away from the Fed's surprise hawkish stance.
Deutsche Bank: Brent Oil Recovers After Initial Dip on US-Iran Deal
Deutsche Bank reports that Brent crude initially fell on the US-Iran memorandum of understanding as war premium faded, but later reversed to close slightly higher.
Norges Bank, BoE, SNB Expected to Hold; Oil Drops on Strait of Hormuz Normalization
Central banks in Norway, the UK, and Switzerland are expected to keep rates unchanged, while oil prices decline as the Strait of Hormuz shows signs of normalizing traffic.
Oil Flows from Hormuz; Volatility Amid Thin Liquidity
Oil has started flowing out of the Strait of Hormuz, while volatility increases due to reduced liquidity with markets in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the US closed. Central bank actions were in line, and the USTR is focusing on the EU.
Pakistan LNG Cancels Spot Tender as QatarEnergy Tanker Heads to Port Qasim
Pakistan LNG has canceled its spot tender for a prompt LNG cargo scheduled to close today, while a QatarEnergy tanker, having transited the Strait of Hormuz, is heading to Port Qasim.
WTI Crude Holds Above $75.50 as Iran Risk Supports; 200-Day SMA in Focus
WTI crude oil stabilized above $75.50 in Asian trading, bouncing from a multi-month low of $72.80 as Iran uncertainty lent support. Traders now eye the 200-day simple moving average as a key technical level.
JD Vance postpones US-Iran talks in Switzerland
Vice President JD Vance has postponed his planned trip to Switzerland for US-Iran talks, initially expected to begin Friday, due to Iranian claims regarding Lebanon.
Andy Burnham Wins By-Election, Sets Stage for Potential Labour Leadership Challenge
UK Labour's Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election on Friday, positioning himself to potentially challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for party leadership, according to CNN.
JD Vance Casts Doubt on Switzerland Trip Amid Iran Talks Uncertainty
U.S. Vice President JD Vance indicated his planned trip to Switzerland may not proceed as uncertainty around U.S.-Iran negotiations grows, with reports that Tehran has suspended participation in the 60-day talks.
EU Moves to Toughen Trade-Defense Tools Against China
European leaders have asked the European Commission to develop stronger trade-defense tools to counter China's state-backed industrial overcapacity, subsidies, and economic coercion.
Australian Beef Hit With 55% China Tariff After Quota Filled
China's safeguard quota for Australian beef imports has been fully utilized, triggering an additional 55% tariff on shipments entering China through the remainder of 2026.
BoJ's Himino Says Price Rises Reflect Both Supply and Demand Factors
Bank of Japan policymaker Kazuo Himino stated that recent price increases are driven not only by supply pressures but also by demand strength from corporate profits, wage gains, and AI-related demand.
WTI Falls to Near $75 as Hormuz Shipping Conditions Improve
West Texas Intermediate crude oil edged lower during Friday’s Asian session, slipping to around $75.10 per barrel as improved shipping conditions in the Strait of Hormuz eased supply concerns.
Asian Stocks Advance on US-Iran Peace Deal; Oil Falls Below $75
Asian equities are set to rise after a US-Iran peace deal boosts confidence that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen, restoring oil flows and easing inflation. WTI crude extends its weekly decline, trading near $75 a barrel.