Asia / Pacific

Tom Westbrook gives us a look at what the future holds for European and global markets. The markets still 'want to believe' that neither Iran nor the U.S. aims to escalate their conflict. The path to resolution is still as unclear as ever, despite a new round of hope that 'little' experienced over the weekend. The distance between the two parties is evident in the rejection of the Iranian peace proposal by U.S. president Donald Trump as "totally unacceptable". The dollar rose and oil prices increased by more than 4% during the Asia session. Iran released on Sunday a proposal...

On Monday, the dollar rose and share futures fell in Asia as signs emerged that the talks between the United States &?Iran had reached a deadlock. This would have effectively closed the 'Strait of Hormuz and sent oil prices up. Donald Trump rejected Iran's response on Sunday to the U.S. proposal to hold peace talks in order to end the conflict, calling Tehran's demands "totally unacceptable." Iranian media reported that an Iranian plan sent to Washington stressed the need to end the war on all sides and lift sanctions against Tehran. Bruce Kasman noted that the conflict in the Middle...

Saudi oil giant Aramco announced on Sunday a 25% increase in its first-quarter profit. This was mainly due to increased sales. The East-West crude pipe that circumvents the Strait o f 'Hormuz is now at full capacity. The?top oil exporter in the world reported a net profit of $32.5 Billion for the three-month period ended March 31. This was higher than the LSEG consensus estimate, which was $30.95 Billion. The total revenue increased 11.4% over the previous quarter, to $115.49 Billion. Amin Nasser said that the results show "strong resilience and operational agility in a complex geopolitical context". He had...

Gold rose on Friday and is expected to gain a weekly gain, as optimism about a possible end to the Iran Conflict eased concerns over inflation and high interest rates. Spot gold rose 0.5% to $4,709.89 an ounce at 1551 GMT. It has gained 2.1% in the last week. U.S. Gold Futures increased 0.2% to $4.719.60. Due to its non-yielding properties, gold, which is typically seen as a safe haven in times of global turmoil, will be under pressure? when interest rates rise. "Gold is now trading more like a risky asset than a safe-haven. Gold's rebound is linked to...

On Friday, global equities were mixed as new U.S. job data showed growth in the U.S. market. However, consumer sentiment was down and oil prices continued to rise due to ongoing fighting near Strait of Hormuz. European stocks fell, but the S&P 500 gained 0.8% and the Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.4%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average remained largely unchanged. Chipmakers, such as Qualcomm, recovered. Qualcomm was up around 10% while Nvidia rose 2.3%. The price of oil rose again on the Friday following renewed fighting in the Strait of Hormuz, which raised doubts about the ceasefire agreement between Iran and...

Investors sent U.S. stock prices higher on Friday as new data showed strong job growth in the U.S., even though oil prices continued to rise due to ongoing fighting near Strait of Hormuz. The Dow Jones Industrial Average grew by 0.21%. The S&P 500 added 0.5% and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.8%. Microchip Technology, which had forecasted first-quarter revenues above expectations, rose 1.4%. Qualcomm jumped about 4% while Nvidia grew 2%. The oil prices retreated from their early gains, after a new round of fighting in the Strait of Hormuz raised concerns about the ceasefire agreement between Iran and the...

The impact of the 'crisis' on the physical fuel markets has worsened. While crude oil futures prices have fluctuated in line with headlines regarding the conflict between the United States, and Iran. Brent contracts fell 7.8% to close at $101.27 per barrel on Wednesday, despite the fact that a sustained and full reopening of the 'Strait of Hormuz is still a long time away. The United States and Israel's February 28th attack on Iran has led to a reduction in the volume of refined products shipped throughout Asia. The Strait of Hormuz is the main energy-consuming region in the world...

As the U.S. exchanged "fire" with Iran in the Middle East the oil prices rose, while stocks fell. However, many equity markets in Asia were on track for stellar gains this week due to booming AI demand. Benchmark Brent crude futures rose about 1% to $101 per barrel, while European shares fell 0.9%. As the results came in, traders were also keeping an eye on Labour Party's losses, which could put pressure on Prime Minister Keir starmer. Sterling was up a little, while British bonds and shares traded in line with their European counterparts. Middle East Clashes The United States...

Tom Westbrook gives us a look at what the future holds for European and global markets. On Friday, oil prices rose and European futures wiggled as the U.S. and Iran exchanged fire in the Middle East. Investors chose to concentrate on the hope of a lasting peace agreement. In Asia, AI stocks dominated weekly gains. Sterling remained steady at $1.36 as traders watched the early results of Britain's local elections. Keir Starmer and his Labour Party suffered heavy losses. The UAE was again attacked by the U.S. forces and Iranian forces in the?Gulf. U.S. president Donald Trump told reporters that...

Oil prices fell on the back of optimism about a U.S. Iran peace deal. The fate of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway, remained unresolved. MSCI's All-Country World Index increased?0.17%, trading around record highs. Europe's STOXX 600 was down 0.25% after a 2.2% jump on Wednesday. Last up by 1.7%. After a long holiday weekend, trading on the Nikkei 225 index resumed. Samy Chaar, chief economist at Lombard Odier, said that while the Middle East situation is uncertain, "the market momentum is moving in a positive direction", and they have taken notice. He said, "The oil price has dropped...

Oil prices sank as stocks rose Thursday amid optimism about a U.S. Iran peace deal. However, the fate of the Strait of Hormuz remained unclear. MSCI's "All-Country World Index" rose by 0.23%, approaching a record high. Europe's STOXX was little changed after a?2.2% jump on Wednesday. MSCI's broadest Asia-Pacific index outside Japan also rose to an all-time record high. After a long holiday weekend, trading on the Nikkei 225 index resumed. Samy Chaar, chief economist at Lombard Odier, said that while the Middle East situation is uncertain, "the market momentum is moving in a positive direction", and they have taken...

Gold?prices rose on Thursday for a 'third consecutive day, supported by a softer dollar. Hopes of a U.S. Iran deal helped ease concerns about inflation and high interest rates. As of 0728 GMT spot gold was up 1% to $4,738.86 an ounce after rising about 3 percent on Wednesday, when it reached its highest level since April 27. U.S. Gold Futures for June Delivery rose by 1.2% to $4748.50. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, predicted that the war with Iran would end quickly as Tehran considered the U.S. peace offer that sources say will formally end conflict while leaving unresolved...

Analysts and traders predict that China's imports will increase in the second quarter of this year due to a strong demand for refined copper, as well as a possible decrease in domestic production resulting from smelter repairs. Analysts said that the demand for copper in the 'world's largest consumer of metal used in powerlines and wiring in electric cars has increased due to increasing grid investment and growing EV purchases. The price of benchmarks may be supported by higher Chinese imports. On Friday, they reached their highest level since January 29 when?they hit an all-time record of $14,527.50. State media...

Toyota, the world's largest automobile manufacturer, warned on Friday that the fallout of the Iran War would cost the company $4.3 billion in this fiscal year. This is one of the most serious warnings to date about the impact of the crisis. Toyota has reported a nearly 50% decline in quarterly earnings, and expects to see a full-year loss of 5% in the just-started year. This is due to rising costs from the war and supply problems. These factors outweighed the surge in demand for hybrid cars. This year, the automaker anticipates hybrid sales to surpass 5 million for the...

Australian shares fell on Friday, wiping?gains made in the previous two?sessions. The market was flooded with broad-based sales after the latest exchange of fire between Iran and the United States rattled the sentiment. The S&P/ASX 200 ended the week 1.5% lower, at 8,744.40. The benchmark index rose 0.2% in the past week despite the drop, but it still remained below the record highs set early in March. Investors concluded a week that saw the Reserve Bank of Australia raise its interest rates a third time in this year. The U.S. escalated hostilities with Iran, and the mood deteriorated over night....

The head of Argentina's mining chamber said Thursday that the flagship investment incentive program for large projects, which currently has a 2027 deadline, should be extended. He argued the program was key to unlocking billions in planned investments. Roberto Cacciola said that the Incentive Regime for Large Investments, or RIGI, has helped to attract capital into the mining sector. The RIGI offers tax, currency, and legal stability advantages for projects valued at more than $200,000,000. Cacciola suggested that the scheme be expanded to include smaller projects which are important in creating jobs and supporting local supply chains. Cacciola told the...

Palliser Capital, an activist?investor, has acquired a 2% share in Britain's Autotrader Group. A?source with knowledge of the matter said on Thursday. This comes at a time where artificial intelligence is putting pressure on the automotive market. Autotrader shares rose 4.2% to 521.2 pence each at 0921 GMT. This outperformed the benchmark FTSE-100, which fell 0.7%. Source: The fund manager's stake will likely be between 1% to 2%. According to a calculation based on Autotrader's closing stock price, the stake could be worth as much as 81.2 million pounds (110.6 million dollars). Palliser had previously called for change at several...

The Russian property agency Rosimushchestvo announced 'on Thursday that it will 'launch an auction for the sale of a 67.2% stake in gold producer Uzhuralzoloto, which the state confiscated last. The agency stated that the stake was worth 140.44 billion Russian roubles, or $1.88 billion. The agency will accept applications up until May 15 with results due by May 18. It was announced that the total value of assets and the starting bid price would be 162.02 billion rubles, with a 2% bidding increment and a 20% deposit required by auction participants. A Russian court ruled in July 2025 that...

Australian'shares' logged their second consecutive session of gains,?boosted by mining and financial stocks as hopes for a?peace agreement off the Middle East helped stabilize markets worldwide and lift risk appetite. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 rose 1% to 8,878.10, continuing gains for the second consecutive session after gaining 1.3% on Wednesday. The global markets were encouraged by the prospects of a Middle East Peace Deal after Trump stated that he expects the war in Iran to be over soon. This positive sentiment spread into Australian markets. Cameron Curko (chief investment officer, Pitcher Partners) said that gold and copper-related miners are rising...

Iron ore futures extended gains for the fourth day in a row?on Thursday. Demand was steady as hot metal production remained high, and the Singapore 'iron ore' contract declined on lower energy costs. The contract for September iron ore on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange was 0.62% higher, at 817 Yuan ($120.10) per metric ton. As of 0704 GMT the benchmark June iron ore traded on the Singapore Exchange fell 0.12% to $109.9 per ton, marking its seventh consecutive day of gains. According to data compiled and a report from the Shanghai 'Metals Market, hot metal production is expected to peak...

Luis Lucero, Argentina's mining Minister, said that the country expects to export $20.6 billion of copper and $12.1 billion of lithium in 10 years. This is up from $6.0 in mining exports in last year. The expected surge in lithium exports and copper is an early indicator that President Javier Milei’s RIGI incentive scheme is unlocking capital for large-scale mining. If achieved, these export levels would be five times higher than the mining exports of 2025. This would provide a new major source of hard currency to an economy that has been historically restricted by foreign exchange shortages. In 10...

On 'Wednesday', copper prices reached their highest level in almost two weeks on hopes that Iran and the U.S. are nearing a deal to end the Middle East?war. The benchmark three-month 'copper' on the London Metal Exchange increased 2.1% to $13,410 per metric ton during official open-outcry trade for a third consecutive session. It had earlier reached its highest level since April 23, at $13,462. Sources said that the United States and Iran were close to an agreement over a memorandum of understanding (MOU) of one page in order to end the Gulf War. Robert Montefusco, broker at?Sucden financial, said...

Guinea and Emirates Global Aluminium have reached an agreement to settle a long-running disagreement over the seizure its local operations, allowing the resumption bauxite shipment. The two companies released separate statements on the matter. The deal is subject to certain conditions. Guinea will pay an upfront sum to Abu?Dhabi based miner, in exchange for the transfer of Guinea Alumina Corporation assets to state-owned Nimba Mining Company. Financial details were not revealed. Guinea, the top producer of aluminium feedstock in the world, took over GAC's Bauxite Operations last year after a disagreement about plans to build an Alumina Refinery. The assets...

The Group of Seven Trade Ministers met in Paris on Wednesday to find common ground for securing vital?mineral? supplies that are dominated primarily by China. However, the United States' recent tariff threats against European Union made cars could strain unity. As ministers prepare to hold a summit of leaders in mid-June, Nicolas Forissier, the French Foreign Trade Minister said that France wanted critical minerals supplies among its most tangible deliverables. He said: "I think we'll make concrete progress in rare earths, critical minerals and supply chain security. We won't be held hostage to certain countries." There was a broad consensus...