Japan stocks rose more than 5% on Thursday, with the benchmark Nikkei 225 hitting 62,000 for the first time as Asia-Pacific markets rallied despite renewed tensions in the Middle East. Shares in SoftBank Group soared 16.5% amid renewed AI optimism. Chip-testing equipment maker Advantest rose nearly

The pound edged up on Wednesday after the US signalled it may be nearing a deal with Iran. However, it seems Teheran's cliques are tearing each other apart over peace talks. Trump repealed tariffs on a key UK export, after a state visit from King Charles III and Queen Camilla appeared to help mend t

The euro was mainly flat Tuesday as the UAE came under attack and the US sank Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said he would increase tariffs charged to the EU for cars and trucks to 25%. A White House official said in a statement Friday that the EU has "failed to make substantial progre

Macroeconomic risks were not fully priced into equity markets, according to BOE's senior leader Sarah Breeden. That is a rare move by a policymaker to be candid about expectations for capital markets. "The thing that really keeps me awake at night is the likelihood of a number of risks crystallizing

Oil prices extended gains on Thursday after Trump has rejected an Iranian proposal to first open the Strait of Hormuz and lift the blockade, while postponing nuclear talks to a later stage. Goldman Sachs estimates that exports through the waterway have fallen to just 4% of normal levels, but warns o

The Australian dollar edged down on Wednesday as investors awaited a closely watched Fed rate decision. Currencies held tight ranges in thinned Asia trade, with a slew of major central bank decisions still on deck. Consumer prices surged in Q1, marking its highest level in more than two years, while

​The Swiss franc dipped on Tuesday as Trump and his national security team discussed Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the US lifts its blockade. It remains unclear if Trump, who has repeatedly insisted the central goal of the conflict is keeping Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear we

The Nikkei 225 hit another record high despite higher oil prices. Japan's manufacturing activity expanded at its strongest pace in four years in April as firms boosted production over concerns about potential supply shortages. A second round of peace negotiations between the US and Iran unravelled a

Oil prices rose on Friday after Iran posted video of commandos in a speedboat storming a huge cargo ship after the collapse of peace talks. Trump said he would not set a "timetable" for ending the conflict. Israel and Lebanon are said to have agreed to extend their ceasefire by three weeks after a h

Corporate America is expected to deliver exceptionally strong Q1 earnings, partly due to One Big Beautiful Bill Act which is expected to boost growth and free more capitals this year. FactSet's estimates show that earnings growth could turn out to be as much as 19 percent. Such high level would like

Sterling dipped on Thursday as oil prices pushed above $100 per barrel, weighing on investor sentiment. UK inflation jumped to 3.3% in March, largely due to increased fuel prices. A majority of economists polled by Reuters expect the BOE to keep rates unchanged for the rest of the year, arguing poli

The Mexican peso hovered around its 6-momth high on Wednesday. Scepticism over Trump's announcement of an indefinite extension of a ceasefire with Iran lifted demand for the safe-haven ‌currency. Mexico's economy is forecast to log a third consecutive year of growth under 2%, a Reuters poll found, h