Western Europe

On Tuesday, global stocks were on track to achieve their best performance in the second quarter of six years. Meanwhile, a resurgent US dollar drove the yen down to its lowest level in four decades and was heading for a fourth consecutive quarterly increase. In the last three months the Strait of Hormuz reopened slowly and 'haphazardly' as hostilities between Iran and the U.S. waned, resulting in a fragile ceasefire and a 20% drop in the price of crude oil. A dramatic shift has also occurred in the expectations of U.S. interest rate, against the backdrop of an unstoppable rise...

What's important in the U.S. and Global Markets Today By Mike Dolan. Editor-at-Large for Finance and Markets The first half of 2026 is over as the whistle blows. The AI industry has had a great year despite the energy-shocking, four-month-long Iran war, and the geopolitical tensions over Venezuela, Greenland, and NATO. Chip stocks have more than doubled. Below, I will go into more detail. Check out my most recent column about the risks that remain around the AI boom, even as bubble concerns are waning. Watch the new episode of Morning Bid, a special mid-year edition with Markets Columnist Jamie...

On Tuesday, global stocks were on track to achieve their best performance in the second quarter of six years. Meanwhile, a resurgent US dollar drove the yen down to its lowest level in four decades and?on course for a fourth consecutive quarterly increase. In the past three months the Strait of Hormuz reopened haphazardly and gradually as the hostilities between Iran and the U.S. waned, resulting in a fragile ceasefire that knocked 20% off of the price of crude oil. A dramatic shift has also occurred in the expectations of U.S. interest rate, against a backdrop that is dominated by...

Shell's annual report said that the global liquefied gas demand is expected to increase by 65% by 2050. This will be driven by Asia, as they seek "lower-emission alternative" fuels than coal, and data centres are driving up power consumption. In its LNG Outlook 2026, the world’s largest trader in supercooled fuel predicted that global demand would reach 700 million metric tonnes per year by this date. The report said that the LNG trade was expected to grow in 2026 from 422 million tonnes in 2025. The Strait of Hormuz is currently experiencing severe disruption, which has caused around one-fifth...

Asian stocks surged on Tuesday at the end of an impressive quarter, as a resurgent yen fell to its lowest level in four decades and headed towards a fourth consecutive quarterly increase. Japan's Nikkei rose 1.6% and is on track to set a new record for quarterly gains of over 38%. South Korea's KOSPI, which is dominated by chipmakers, rose 3%. However it was on track for a record-breaking second-quarter gain of more than 71%. It has already doubled in the past year. Brent crude futures are trading at $72.49 per barrel, which is the pre-war price. This is even...

Tom Westbrook gives us a look at what the future holds for European and global markets. This session is the first day of buying for the next quarter, as trades settle on the following day. The 'biggest supply shock in history' has barely left a mark on the financial markets as China cut demand, producers and alternative shipping routes filled the shortfall. The oil prices have dropped to the levels they were before the U.S., Israel and Iran conflict began in February. Skirmishes that strain the ceasefire draw little attention. Even the bond markets seem to be changing. The bond...

Asian stocks shook as they approached the end of a stellar quarter on Tuesday. A resurgent Dollar pushed the Japanese yen down to its lowest level in four decades, and was heading for a fourth consecutive quarterly rise. Japan's Nikkei is set to record a record gain of 36% in the second quarter. South Korea's chipmaker driven KOSPI fell 1% but was still on track for a record second quarter rise of more than 65%, having doubled in value year-to date. Brent crude futures are trading at $72.49 per barrel, which is the pre-war price. This is even with the...

Investors tracked the implementation of the interim peace agreement between the U.S. and?Iran, while oil prices climbed?after tit for tat attacks highlighted the risk of escalation. European stocks edged down, but Wall Street led the gains. Technology shares rebounded after last week's saleoff, driven by concerns about AI spending. After several days of strike activity in the Middle East, both sides have accused each other of violating an interim ceasefire after an Iranian projectile struck a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. The oil prices fluctuated, Brent and WTI both up by more than 1% in a single day...

U.S. Stock Futures rose on Monday, after the U.S. agreed to halt recent hostilities with Iran and resume talks. This helped oil prices drop after they spiked earlier due to renewed attacks between both sides. After a sell-off last week triggered by fears about AI spending, European stocks were flat. However, tech was outperforming on both sides. The STOXX 600 index in Europe was not changed, but the S&P 500 futures in the U.S. rose 0.8%. Futures on the Nasdaq, which is a tech-heavy index, rose by 1.1%. This puts the U.S. Index back on track to recover after it...

Crude prices fell?2% Friday, and are headed for steep weekly losses amid eased supply concerns. More oil tankers have left the Strait of Hormuz as more stranded vessels leave. Brent crude futures dropped $1.47 or 1.95% to $73.79 per barrel at 0421 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate was down $1.44 or 2% to $70.48 per barrel. Shipping data from LSEG revealed that Saudi Aramco, the world's largest refiner, resumed oil loading at its Ras-Tanura terminal in?Gulf on Friday after a nearly four-month halt. The data revealed that two Very Large Crude Carrier were loading crude at the terminal, while another...

The oil prices dropped on Friday morning, and are headed for steep losses this week amid easing supply concerns. More oil tankers have left the Strait of Hormuz as stranded vessels leave. Brent crude futures dropped 19 cents or 0.25% to $75.07 per barrel at 0055 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate was down 13 cents or 0.18% to $71.79 per barrel. The benchmark contracts both rose more than 2% after an unknown projectile hit a cargo ship near Oman. This prompted the U.N. shipping agency to suspend their voluntary evacuation scheme. Two U.S. officials said that Iran shot at the...

Global stocks rose Thursday, as chipmakers' strong earnings lifted sentiment. Meanwhile, the dollar hovered at a year-high, with investors still wary of stretched valuations. S&P 500 and Nasdaq, the benchmark indexes on Wall Street, were both up, with industrials, healthcare, and materials stocks leading the way. Micron rose 10% as the memory chipmaker’s strong forecast contributed to its AI-driven rise. Qualcomm gained 4% following its announcement that it expects to generate $15 billion in annual sales through its data center division by 2029. Nasdaq fell, but was dragged lower by the choppy trades among megacap technology companies. Apple fell 5.3%....

The dollar was firmer amid expectations that U.S. rates will be raised, and gold edged up from a near seven-month low. As of 1150 GMT spot gold was up 0.4% to $4,031.29 an ounce after hitting its lowest level in November 2025 earlier in session. U.S. gold futures for August delivery fell 0.2% to $4.045.30/oz. "The failure to maintain gains (for gold), highlights the current fragile mood, where traders continue to?sell into strength instead of buying into weakness, which is a noticeable shift from behaviour seen in the past few years," said Saxo Bank Analyst Ole Hansen. Bullion fell more...

The main British car lobby estimated that British electric vehicle manufacturers will be forced to pay PS1.4billion ($1.85billion) in tariffs, if the European Union and the United Kingdom cannot reach an agreement on the local content requirement. The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT), said that the post-Brexit regulations on the sourcing parts, which were delayed a second time in 2023, are now set to come into effect as of January. This will result in a 10% tariff imposed?on 70% battery electric and plugin hybrid models sold within the EU. A similar enforcement could make many of these important...

Labor?office data showed on?Tuesday that the number of unemployed in Germany dropped unexpectedly?in June. According to a recent poll, analysts and economists predicted a rise of 7,000. The total adjusted number of unemployed people dropped to 2.984 millions, below the '3 million mark. In June, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at?6.3%. This is unchanged from previous months. In a recent statement, the head of the Labour Office, Andrea Nahles, said that there was little evidence of change on the labour market. The unemployment rate is only marginally decreasing, while the employment that is subject to Social Security contributions continues...

The main British car lobby estimated that British electric vehicle manufacturers will have to pay PS1.4 billion ($1.85 billion) in tariffs, if the European Union does not reach a'solution' on the?local?content?requirements (also known as?rules of origin). In a press release, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said that the imposition of rules on sourcing parts will be delayed again in '2023 and now is due to come into effect 'from January. This will result in a 10% duty on 70% of battery -electric and plug in hybrid models sold?within the EU. This would reduce the competitiveness and affordability of...

Ferrari and BMW have introduced new models with lightweight, cost-effective aluminum wiring. This is accelerating the shift away from copper as the dominant material for electric wiring ever since the invention two centuries ago of the electric batteries. JPMorgan predicts that the decisions will affect around 2% global copper demand in this year. Tesla and Chinese EV makers have also made similar moves. The structural increase in copper prices could lead to even more copper being switched over to aluminium. This is due to the increased demand for data centres and green energy, as well as the shortage of copper....

Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume’s plan to close German factories and 'cut up to 100,000 jobs' is more than just a cost-saving measure. It could also be an attempt to change a corporate structure that has held back progress for years. Sources say that Europe's largest?automaker? is considering its biggest-ever restructuring. This includes doubling the planned job cuts, and closing four German factories. It does this to combat tariffs, rising costs, and increasing competition from Asia. The company is also considering plans to separate passenger cars and parts into separate divisions. This could be a test of the limits of the...

Gold prices fell on Monday as recent hostilities in Gulf added to inflation fears and expectations of rate hikes by the U.S. Federal Reserve, putting pressure on the non-yielding material. As of 1053 GMT, spot gold was down by 1.3% to $4,036.19 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery fell by 1.1%, to $4.051/oz. Bullion experienced a weekly decline of 1.7% on Friday, and is on course for a monthly loss in excess of 10%. A U.S. official announced on Sunday that Iran and the United States had agreed to cease recent hostilities and re-start talks regarding their dispute...

Gold fell on Monday, as recent hostilities in the Gulf increased inflation fears that fueled expectations of a rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve. This pushed the non-yielding material down. As of 857 GMT, spot gold was down by 0.9% to $4,049.90 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery lost 0.8%, to $4.063.50/oz. Bullion experienced a weekly drop of 1.7% on Friday, and was on course for a monthly decline of over 10%. A U.S. official announced on Sunday that Iran and the United States had agreed to cease recent hostilities and resume talks about their dispute over...

Gold prices?reduced on Monday, as the recent U.S. - Iran?strikes in the Gulf pushed up oil prices. Expectations of U.S. Federal Reserve rate hikes also weighed on this non-yielding material. As of 0602 GMT, spot gold was down by 0.8%, at $4,057.77 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery fell 0.6% to $4072.20. Metal was heading for a fourth consecutive monthly loss of 10.5%. Tim Waterer is the chief market analyst for KCM Trade. He said: "U.S.-Iran were back at it over the weekend with new military strikes reported from both parties. This casts doubt on how long oil...

Gold prices?reduced on Monday, as the recent U.S. - Iran?strikes in the Gulf pushed up oil prices. Expectations of U.S. Federal Reserve rate hikes also weighed on this non-yielding material. As of 0242 GMT, spot gold was down 0.7%, at $4,061.35 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery lost 0.5%, to $4076.40. Metal was heading for a fourth consecutive monthly loss of 10.4%. Tim Waterer is the chief market analyst for KCM Trade. He said: "U.S.-Iran were back at it over the weekend with new military?strikes from both parties. This casts doubt on how long oil will remain at...

Gold fell on Friday for a fourth consecutive week, due to the resilient dollar and expectations that U.S. interest rates will be raised faster in order to curb inflation. By 0441 GMT, spot gold had fallen 0.6% to $4.002.77 an ounce. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery fell 0.7% to $4017.30. Bullion is on course for a 3.8% loss this week after slipping below $4,000 on Wednesday, the lowest level since November 2025. The rapid repricing by the hawkish Fed created a strong bullish movement in the U.S. Dollar, which led to the significant decline in gold prices, said Kelvin...

Gold prices reversed course and edged up on Thursday, after a U.S. reading of inflation?came in largely line with expectations. This eased some concerns about upcoming Federal Reserve rate increases and pushed the dollar and Treasury yields down. As of 11:12 am EDT (1512 GMT), spot gold rose 0.2% to $4,007.65 per ounce after dropping as much as 1% in earlier sessions. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery rose?0.3%, to $4.021.00 an oz. "PCE data appears to have been in line with expectations. David Meger is director of metals at High Ridge Futures. He said that it's a big reason...