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Asian stocks fell on Tuesday, as investors focused on 'central bank decisions. This included an expected 'rate hike by the Bank of Japan. The markets have taken a more measured approach to Gulf developments, as the initial excitement surrounding the preliminary agreement reached between Washington and Tehran has begun to fade. Brent crude futures rose 0.1% to $83,25 per barrel, reflecting the cautious approach. Shipping companies in Asia and Europe say it could take several weeks to rebuild confidence that the Strait of Hormuz will be open for business again. MSCI's broadest Asia-Pacific index outside Japan has lost gains and...

Anna Szymanski is the Editor-in Charge of Open Interest. On?Monday, oil prices fell and global stocks rose after the United States reached a preliminary agreement with Iran. After more than three months of disruption, the memorandum of agreement should allow the?Strait of Hormuz to reopen. Donald Trump, the U.S. president and Shehbaz Sharif, the Pakistani prime minister announced that a deal was struck late Sunday night. The agreement, which is scheduled to be signed in Switzerland on Friday, leaves many questions unanswered. This may mean that market celebrations are premature. Below, I will go into more detail. Listen to the...

Are you looking for inspiration? Weekend 'Reads' will be published every Friday to provide an overview of what the Open Interest team have been watching, reading and listening to. This week the team is recommending a range of articles, from analyses of the 'World Cup to breakdowns of the 'energy shock. You're reading... MIKE Dolan, ROI Finance & Markets columnist: Gene Frieda, at the think tank Bruegel, considers if the latest energy crisis may require temporary fiscal-monetary cooperation in the U.S. and Europe - which could involve central banks purchasing debt or anchoring borrowing rates. RON BOUSSO is the ROI...

Official data on Thursday showed that oil product inventories in Asia's main trading hub Singapore fell to their lowest level?in almost 13 years. This was due to a'sharp' decline in residual fuel stocks as the Middle East conflict continued. Enterprise Singapore's data shows that the combined onshore oil products stocks fell to 34.41 millions barrels during the week ending June 10. This is the lowest level since July 2013. The oil inventories at global storage hubs are shrinking, as Middle Eastern shipments continue to be curtailed by the U.S. - Iran?war. In the week ending June 10, inventories of residual...

Gregor Stuart Hunter gives us a look at what the future holds for European and global markets. Oil is back in the spotlight and equity markets are struggling to find a footing after the selloff this week triggered by new?blows against the ceasefire?in?the Middle East. U.S. has?launched a new strike against multiple targets within Iran. President Donald Trump has promised even more attacks in the event of no peace agreement. Brent crude rose by 1.7% to $94.64 on Friday after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran announced that it had targeted U.S. bases in Kuwait and Bahrain and threatened?to...

What's important in U.S. and Global Markets Today By Mike Dolan, Editor at Large, Finance and Markets It's unnerving that the relapse of U.S. Tech stocks on Tuesday occurred as oil prices dropped sharply in the same session. This shows how stock market anxiety extends "well beyond" the energy story. The crude?prices on Wednesday were volatile after the U.S. and?Iran exchanged missile strikes overnight, the most alarming direct interaction between the two sides since the fragile ceasefire was established. Below, I will go into more detail. Check out my most recent column about why the stock exchange is becoming more...

Ankur Banerjee gives a look at what the markets will be like tomorrow in Europe and the world. Markets are nervous following the latest escalation of Middle East tensions, but investors have hope that the new 'U.S. The 'attacks on Iran after an Apache helicopter was 'downed near the Strait of Hormuz won't derail a peace deal that will end the war. It may be a wishful thought, as the U.S. army has said that it targeted Iranian air defences, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites near this key waterway to respond to attacks against U.S. forces and commercial...

Wayne Cole gives us a look at what the future holds for European and global markets. Asian investors, whether very brave or foolish, have returned to buying the dips on Tuesday, and most regional indexes are rebounding. News that Iran and Israel had agreed to halt their attacks for the foreseeable future helped lift oil prices. South Korea's Kospi has gained almost 5% after losing 8% on Monday. It is still up an insignificant 83% this year. The bull market has attracted more retail investors, who borrow to buy, and are therefore vulnerable to margin calls. Recent Bank of Korea...

What is important in the U.S. and international markets today by Mike Dolan Editor-at-Large of Finance and Markets On Wednesday, the?S&P 500 did not achieve its 10th consecutive daily gain and some clouds are forming in the markets. Broadcom, the sixth largest company in the world by market capitalization, has stumbled despite the frenzy surrounding the hot chip sector. Stocks of the chipmaker dropped by more than 13% overnight after a slight miscalculation in sales and revenue estimates. This?reaction is a sign of the high bar that companies have to meet in order to impress the markets during the AI...

China will reduce domestic retail prices on 'gasoline and Diesel' from Friday, its second cut since the start of the Iran War which has caused global oil prices to rise and constrained global energy supplies. The National Development and Reform Commission, a state planner, announced on Thursday that the retail gasoline and diesel prices would be reduced by 525 Yuan ($77.52), and 505 Yuan ($50.52), respectively. A 50-litre fuel tank filled with?92-octane gas can be filled for about 20.5 Yuan less. After factoring in Thursday's price reductions, Beijing has raised diesel retail prices by 1,530 yuan a ton since the...

Gregor Stuart Hunter gives us a look at what the markets will be like tomorrow in Europe and globally. Traders are battling with contradicting 'headlines': the renewed fighting between Iran and the U.S. on the one hand and the ceasefire?between Israel & Lebanon?on teh other. This time, there's no sign of a relief rally. Brent crude futures are just 0.7% down at $97.12 per barrel, after Lebanon and Israel agreed on a ceasefire. The agreement is conditional upon a complete cessation in fire by the Iran-aligned Hezbollah and the evacuation of its operatives out of the South Litani Sector. The...

On Tuesday, global stocks rose, boosted by fresh AI optimism following Anthropic's move towards a U.S. Stock Market listing. Oil prices and bond yields also fell, on renewed hope of a U.S. Iran deal. Brent crude futures fell more than?1% under $94 per barrel on Tuesday, reversing the sharp gains of the previous session, after U.S. president Donald Trump stated that talks with Iran continue. The comments were made despite reports that Tehran had suspended indirect talks with Washington in order to end hostilities. This has kept investors on edge about the efforts to end the 3-month war, and highlighted...

On Monday, aluminium prices dropped to their lowest levels in?two and a half months as a U.S. - Iran framework agreement aimed at ending their war improved prospects of deliveries from Gulf -producers. However, shippers remained cautious about transiting through 'the strait of Hormuz. By 1120 GMT the benchmark three-month aluminum on the London Metal Exchange had fallen 3.2% to $3,422.50 per metric ton, after having reached $3,408, which was its lowest level since March 30. U.S. officials and Iranian officials announced that they had reached a preliminary agreement to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The...

Energy Transition Minerals hopes to expand in Spain's Galicia Province as it waits for a resolution of the?legal challenges regarding its massive rare earths project on Greenland. Daniel Mamadou said in an interview with? In an interview, Daniel Mamadou told? Mamadou stated that "Galicia has an ambitious plan to revive its mining industry." He added that up to 52 mines will be put out to tender for development. "We think that the Penouta operation can be at the heart of an expansion of Galicia... We might be able to?benefit from economies of size and position." ETM has not provided any...

The expectation of U.S. tightening of monetary policy and the strength in the dollar has taken some wind out?of a "perfect storm" that was driving an upswing?in gold prices since 2023. Prices are now vulnerable?around $4,000/ounce, as interest rates unfold. Gold's reversal raised questions about the durability of its record-breaking rally, even though geopolitical risks, fiscal deficits, and central bank purchases continue to support bullion in the long-term. The spot gold price has dropped 25% after hitting a record of $5,595 back in January. This is because the Iran War sparked a rally in oil prices and increased bets for...

Copper prices rose on Friday as hopes of a quick peace agreement between the U.S.A. and Iran eased concerns about a slowing economy and rising inflation. Benchmark 'three-month copper' on the London Metal Exchange gained 1.6%, to $13,704 per metric ton at 0925 GMT. This ended two days of losses which saw copper reach its lowest level in three weeks. The price of copper fell on Thursday, amid the worst violence between Iran and the U.S. since the two sides signed a ceasefire agreement in April. Prices reversed when U.S. president Donald Trump stated that a peace agreement could be...

The demand for gold in India increased slightly this week, as jewellery buyers were attracted by lower prices, despite caution. In China however, premiums eased. The price of gold in India fell to its lowest level since April 2, at 146.444 rupees for 10 grams, on Thursday. It is down 1.5% this week. Chanda Venkatesh said that the demand for gold increased after the recent price correction, especially jewellery buyers. Dealers quoted discounts Discounts of up to $35 per ounce, including 15% import duties and 3% sales taxes, compared to last week's discount of up to $87.5. Although jewellers are...

Copper prices rose on Friday, amid lower oil prices and optimism about a possible peace deal between the U.S.A. and Iran that would end the war. By 0300 GMT, the benchmark three-month contract for copper on?the London Metal Exchange had risen by 1.64% to $13,704 per metric tonne. The Shanghai Futures Exchange's most traded copper contract rose 1.5%, to 104960 yuan (15,516.30 USD) per ton. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said Thursday that a "peace agreement" could be signed this weekend and reopen 'the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said, however, that no final decision has been made about a possible...

The U.S. and Israel war against?Iran has not affected the price of iron ore, but this relative calm hides a shift in the dynamics of the steel raw material. China purchases about three quarters of the global seaborne iron ore and uses it to feed mills that produce just over half of the world's total steel. Iron ore for the United States is largely sourced by Australia and Brazil. Other producers such as South Africa and Guinea contribute a small amount. This trade bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. The narrow waterway that connects Iran to Oman has been closed off...

The copper price fell to its lowest level in three weeks as the U.S. and Iran continued their attacks. Funds liquidated positions on concerns about rising interest rates, weaker economic growth worldwide, and softer metals demands. The benchmark three-month copper price on the London Metal Exchange fell 0.8% to $13,407 per metric tonne by 0925 GMT. It had earlier reached $13,378, which was its lowest since May 20. On Thursday, the U.S. traded air strikes with Iran for a second day in a row, undermining an already fragile ceasefire. Copper's decline is driven more by macro-headwinds than fundamentals. "Escalating tensions...

The U.S. and Israel war against Iran has not affected the price of iron ore, but this relative calm hides a shift in the?dynamics? for the steel raw material. China purchases about three quarters of the world's seaborne iron ore. It uses it to feed mills that make just over half the steel produced worldwide. Iron ore is mostly sourced from Australia and Brazil. Other producers such as South Africa and Guinea also contribute a small amount. This trade bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. The narrow waterway that connects Iran to Oman has been closed off since February 28, when...

Jim Anderson, the CEO of Coherent, a chipmaker backed by Nvidia in an earnings call early in May, warned about a shortage of Indium Phosphide. A U.S. delegation of businessmen accompanied President Donald Trump to China. Three sources with knowledge of the matter said that Anderson's trip was to highlight the delays in China's licensing for the export of the high-speed optical chip needed in the manufacturing of AI data centres. According to two U.S. officials and a person who was briefed about the talks, the issue was also raised during the Seoul talks between the top 'trade negotiators' of...

Copper prices fell on Wednesday morning as macroeconomic concerns and volatility related to the Middle East conflict offset the price support provided by U.S. tariffs. As of 0300 GMT, the benchmark three-month copper price?on London Metal Exchange?declined by 0.36% to a metric ton at $13,566.5. The Shanghai Futures Exchange's most traded copper contract fell 0.38%, to 104.010 yuan (15,354.52) per ton. The price of oil rose Wednesday as the U.S. launched a new strike against Iran. The Middle East war has increased energy prices and put pressure on manufacturing, which is a major sector for copper demand. Data released by...

The dollar fell on Tuesday after Israel and Iran agreed to stop their attacks against each other. Meanwhile, visible metal inventories outside of the United States tightened further. The benchmark three-month copper price on the London Metal Exchange increased 0.8% by 0951 GMT to $13,728 per metric ton, but was hampered by the 21-day moving median at $13,735. The U.S. Dollar Index was down by 0.2%. However, the markets are waiting for Wednesday's U.S. Inflation data to get clues about the Federal Reserve. Dollar-priced materials become more appealing to buyers who use other currencies when the U.S. dollar is weaker....