Europe opens higher as metals surge, Brent slumps and risk appetite broadens across assets
Executive summary: European markets opened firmly in the green, led by a broad rally in equities and a sharp move higher in precious metals. The Euro Stoxx 50, CAC 40, FTSE 100 and DAX all advanced, while gold, silver, platinum and palladium posted outsized gains. Brent crude fell sharply, pointing to a powerful cross-asset repricing tied to easing oil risk and stronger demand for defensive and industrial metals. FX moves were modest, with the euro and pound firmer against the dollar. [Continue Reading]
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Tokyo and Asia-Pacific Close Higher as Nikkei Surges, Precious Metals Rip and Oil Slumps on Peace-Deal Relief
Executive summary: Tokyo and broader Asia-Pacific markets finished sharply higher, led by a historic jump in the Nikkei 225 and strong gains in Korea and Australia. The move came alongside a powerful rally in gold, silver, platinum and palladium, while WTI crude fell hard. FX was comparatively calm, with the yen and yuan both firmer against the dollar. The price action points to a major rotation into risk assets and precious metals, while energy weakened on easing geopolitical risk. [Continue Reading]
Bank of Japan raises rates to 1% as energy prices surge
Japan's central bank has raised its main interest rate to 1%, the highest level since 1995, after a surge in global energy prices. The Bank of Japan said on Tuesday that it was increasing its policy rate from 0.75% as it responds to inflation pressures linked to higher oil and gas costs. The move comes as Japan continues to balance efforts to contain prices with the risk of making borrowing more expensive for households, businesses and the government.The decision marks another step in a gradual tightening cycle that began in March 2024, when the bank delivered its first rate rise... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 16 Jun 2026 05:36 LONDON
US-Iran ceasefire deal sends oil to three-month low as fuel relief may take months
Oil prices have fallen to a three-month low after a preliminary deal to end the US-Israel war on Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but analysts say American drivers are unlikely to see immediate relief at the pump. The strategic waterway has been closed for more than three months, disrupting a route that normally carries about one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas. The market reaction has been swift, yet the consumer impact is expected to lag because of supply bottlenecks and strong summer demand.On Monday, petrol prices in the United States were still above $4 per... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 16 Jun 2026 01:29 LONDON
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Tokyo Opens With a Risk-On Surge as Japan, Korea and Australia Rally on Oil Shock and Precious-Metals Strength
Executive summary: Tokyo and Asia-Pacific markets opened sharply higher, led by a powerful Nikkei 225 jump of +8.0% and broad gains across Korea, Australia and Hong Kong. The move came alongside a steep WTI crude drop of -9.6%, while gold, silver, palladium and platinum all surged, pointing to a major repricing of energy, inflation and risk sentiment at the start of the session. [Continue Reading]
Wall Street closes higher as AI chips, metals and crypto surge, while energy lags on oil slump
Executive summary: U.S. equities finished broadly higher, led by a sharp rally in AI and chip shares, a strong bid in metals, and gains across tech, small caps and financials. The standout move was SOXX, which jumped nearly 10%, while WTI crude fell sharply and energy stocks lagged. The session also saw Bitcoin, Ether and gold advance, underscoring a broad risk-on tone with a notable rotation away from energy. [Continue Reading]
US-Iran ceasefire deal advances as Vance says Tehran could access $300 billion reconstruction fund
US Vice President JD Vance has said Iran could have access to a proposed $300 billion reconstruction fund as part of an initial agreement to extend a fragile ceasefire and end more than three months of conflict in the region. The arrangement is also expected to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route whose closure has contributed to a global energy crisis. Pakistan, which is acting as mediator, said the agreement is due to be signed on Friday in Geneva.Vance said in an interview that the fund would be backed by Gulf nations and that Tehran would have... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 15 Jun 2026 17:59 LONDON
Europe closes higher as metals surge, Brent slumps and the euro firms on a broad risk reset
Executive summary: European equities finished higher, led by the Euro Stoxx 50, CAC 40 and DAX, while the FTSE 100 also advanced. The biggest cross-asset moves came in commodities, where gold, silver, platinum and palladium all jumped sharply, Brent crude fell more than 10%, and natural gas eased. The euro and sterling both strengthened against the dollar, adding to the sense of a broad market repricing tied to shifting energy expectations and a stronger appetite for cyclical and real-asset exposure. [Continue Reading]
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Wall Street Opens Higher as Tech, Small Caps and Risk Assets Extend a Broad Rally, Oil Slumps and Metals Surge
Executive summary: U.S. equities opened firmly higher, led by Nasdaq, small caps and cyclical pockets, while oil sold off sharply and precious metals jumped. The move points to a market that is pricing in a more supportive risk backdrop, with tech, banks, defense and bitcoin all advancing, even as energy stocks lagged. The opening tone suggests investors are rotating toward growth and away from crude-linked exposure. [Continue Reading]
Europe opens higher as peace-driven risk rally lifts stocks, metals surge and Brent slumps
Executive summary: European equities opened firmer, led by the Euro Stoxx 50 and CAC 40, as a broad risk rally followed reports of a U.S.-Iran peace breakthrough. Brent crude fell sharply, while gold, silver, platinum and palladium all surged, pointing to a fast rotation into havens and industrial metals at the same time. The euro and pound also strengthened against the dollar, while natural gas weakened. The move matters because it combines lower energy costs with stronger equity sentiment, but the scale of the commodity swings suggests traders are still pricing in headline risk and not a fully settled geopolitical... [Continue Reading]
Tokyo and Asia-Pacific close sharply higher as peace deal headlines hit oil, lift metals and cyclicals
Executive summary: Asia-Pacific markets ended the session with a broad risk-on tone, led by a powerful surge in Japan and South Korea after headlines around a U.S.-Iran peace deal. The Nikkei 225 jumped +6.0% to 69,317.5, the Kospi surged +13.9%, and the ASX 200 rose +3.4%. Oil slumped -10.5% while gold, silver and palladium rallied strongly, signaling a sharp rotation into lower energy costs, precious metals and cyclical assets. [Continue Reading]
Asian stocks surge and oil falls after US-Iran deal confirmation
Asian equity markets rose sharply on Monday after Washington and Tehran confirmed a deal to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The move came as investors reacted to the prospect of lower geopolitical risk to energy supplies and a possible easing of pressure on global inflation. Brent crude fell in response, while US stock futures also moved higher.Japan's Nikkei 225 benchmark index rose 5.5% in morning trading, while South Korea's Kospi climbed as much as 5.7%. Taiwan's Taiex gained as much as 2.7%, and Australia's ASX200 rose about 1.5%. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index was up... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 15 Jun 2026 04:00 LONDON
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Tokyo Opens Higher as Oil Slides and Precious Metals Surge, Asia-Pacific Risk Appetite Improves
Executive summary: Tokyo and broader Asia-Pacific markets opened with a firmer tone, led by gains in Japan, South Korea and Australia, while Hong Kong lagged. The sharpest cross-asset move was in commodities, where WTI crude fell -8.3% and palladium jumped +9.8%. Equities also found support from a softer USD/JPY and a modestly weaker dollar against the yuan, even as the Hang Seng slipped and natural gas eased. [Continue Reading]
Romania names Adrian Vestea as PM nominee after previous choice withdraws
Romania's president has nominated Adrian Vestea to try to form a new government after the previous prime ministerial choice withdrew his mandate. Nicusor Dan announced the move on Sunday, saying Eugen Tomac had stepped aside earlier in the day and that Vestea would now be asked to lead the next cabinet. The nomination comes as Romania continues efforts to restore political stability after a no-confidence vote in May toppled the previous government.Dan said Vestea, a National Liberal Party member and former mayor, was suited to the role because of his experience across local and national office. Vestea is currently county... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 14 Jun 2026 11:02 LONDON
Why the price of gold is trending down amid war-driven inflation
Gold prices have come under pressure as the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran has pushed up inflation and kept interest-rate expectations elevated. The metal fell from a high of $5,303 per troy ounce on 28 January to $4,235 on Friday, according to the supplied report. The decline comes despite gold's usual role as a safe-haven asset during periods of geopolitical stress.The report says the conflict has disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil and gas shipments, since the start of the war. That has helped drive energy prices higher, feeding into inflation... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 14 Jun 2026 02:30 LONDON
UK economy shrinks 0.1% in April as services weaken
The UK economy contracted by 0.1% in April, according to official data released on Friday. The fall was driven by weaker output in the services sector, while construction partly offset the decline. Analysts had expected a small contraction, after stronger-than-expected growth in March.The Office for National Statistics said the economy grew by 0.7% in the three months to April compared with the previous three-month period. That suggests the monthly fall did not fully reverse the broader improvement seen over the quarter. The same data also showed the economy grew by 0.3% in the month, confounding forecasts of a small contraction,... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 12 Jun 2026 07:30 LONDON
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World Bank cuts 2026 growth forecast as Strait of Hormuz closure raises energy shock fears
The World Bank has cut its forecast for global growth in 2026 after warning that the conflict involving the United States, Iran and Israel is putting pressure on energy markets and supply chains. In its latest Global Economic Prospects report, the Washington-based institution said Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz has added to the risk of a wider economic slowdown. The report said the strategic waterway, a key route for oil and gas transit, is under strain as a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran is tested.The bank lowered its 2026 global growth forecast to 2.5% from... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 11 Jun 2026 19:30 LONDON
Iran says economy is still functioning after 100 days of US-Israel strikes and Hormuz closure
Iran is still operating after more than 100 days of US and Israeli bombing, according to the supplied material, even as the conflict has killed senior military and political figures and damaged military infrastructure across land, sea and air. The rows say Tehran has suffered a $347 billion loss and that the United Nations expects the economy to contract by 6.1% this year. They also say the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has added pressure on oil exports and global energy markets.The material says the strikes have choked off access to oil revenue, but that Iran has not been... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 11 Jun 2026 19:00 LONDON
ECB raises eurozone rates to 2.25% as Iran war pushes inflation higher
The European Central Bank has raised its main deposit rate to 2.25%, the first increase since 2023, as it responds to inflation pressures linked to the war in Iran. The move comes as eurozone consumer prices continue to rise and markets adjust to the prospect of further tightening. The decision is being watched closely across the currency bloc because it affects borrowing costs for households, businesses and governments.The bank lifted the rate from 2% after eurozone consumer price inflation rose to 3.2% in May 2026, up from 3% in April. Financial markets are now pricing in two more rate rises... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 11 Jun 2026 14:02 LONDON
US inflation rises to three-year high as energy costs climb
US consumer prices rose at their fastest pace in three years in May, with inflation reaching 4.2%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The increase, from 3.8% in April, was driven largely by higher energy costs and petrol prices linked to the war in Iran. It was the third month in a row that the Consumer Price Index has increased, adding to pressure on households and reinforcing concerns about how quickly the shock is feeding through to the wider economy.The latest figures were accompanied by unusually direct political comments from President Donald Trump, who said at the White House... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 11 Jun 2026 02:31 LONDON
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Shadows of Fire: The Long Arc of Iran–United States Tensions
A Region on Edge: The Latest Escalation In recent months, tensions between Iran and the United States have intensified once again, fueled by disputes over regional security, nuclear development, maritime incidents in the Persian Gulf, and the broader strategic balance in the Middle East. Officials in Washington have expressed renewed concern over Iran’s uranium enrichment levels, while leaders in Tehran have accused the United States of economic warfare through sanctions and diplomatic isolation. The fragile equilibrium that followed earlier rounds of indirect negotiations appears increasingly strained, with both sides engaging in sharp rhetoric at the United Nations, reinforcing military postures... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews-Opinion | 19 Feb 2026 08:49 LONDON
There Is Good in Every Bad
Power, Greed, Oil, and the Theater of Modern Geopolitics The Business Model of Power Donald Trump does not govern like a traditional politician. He governs like a negotiator who believes every geopolitical crisis is leverage, every war threat is a bargaining chip, and every market panic is an opportunity. When markets tremble, someone profits. The question is, who? Global markets react instantly to political tension. Gold rises when conflict looms. Oil spikes when instability threatens production. Stock markets collapse on fear, then rebound on reassurance. Volatility is not chaos, it is opportunity. Historically, gold has surged during major geopolitical crises,... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews-Opinion | 18 Feb 2026 17:11 LONDON
