Middle East war fears of stagflation are rapidly dampening investor sentiment towards junk-rated companies. The spread between BB+ and CCC-rated corporate bonds has widened to 6.4 percentage points, a 14-month high, as rising oil prices and economic slowdown threaten highly indebted firms.
Gold and silver prices dropped significantly on Wednesday due to concerns over inflation and the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy. Experts suggest that a shift from safe-haven demand to rate expectations, coupled with rising real yields, is pressuring precious metals.
Indian stock markets, Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, fell over 1% due to heightened US-Iran tensions, rising crude oil prices near $97/barrel, and FII outflows. Market cap dropped by Rs 3 lakh crore.
Japan's Nikkei 225 surged to a record high above 64,000 on Monday. Hopes for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, following comments from President Trump on Iran negotiations, eased oil prices and boosted investor sentiment globally.
Asia-Pacific markets are set for a mixed open as oil prices dropped over 5% following reports that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen. President Trump indicated constructive negotiations with Iran are underway, boosting investor sentiment.
Asian markets saw gains Friday, boosted by optimism over US-Iran peace talks. However, rising oil prices and inflation worries persist, impacting interest rate expectations. Samsung workers voted on a wage deal, while Japan's inflation slowed.
Harvard Management Company has sold all its Ether holdings, including $87 million in an Ethereum ETF, and reduced its Bitcoin ETF shares. This follows a turbulent year for ETH and departures from the Ethereum Foundation.
Singapore stocks are set to outperform Indonesian peers significantly in 2026, with capital flows favoring certainty amid global policy uncertainty, according to Soh Chih Kai of Lion Global Investors.
Dalal Street anticipates a volatile week driven by the US-Iran conflict, foreign investor activity, rising crude oil prices, inflation, and a falling rupee. Analysts expect continued pressure on investor sentiment.
The Indian Rupee hit a record low of 95.63 against the US dollar amid escalating geopolitical tensions and fragile investor sentiment. Intensifying Middle East conflict, rising oil prices, and sustained foreign fund outflows are pressuring the currency. This economic uncertainty is also reflected in a significant dip in domestic stock markets.
Indian equity markets experienced a downturn Friday, with both Sensex and Nifty closing lower. Renewed military tensions near the Strait of Hormuz dampened investor sentiment, leading to profit-booking across various sectors. While IT stocks showed resilience, PSU banks were significantly impacted. Global markets also reflected cautious sentiment.
Foreign investors continued their selling spree in Indian equities, withdrawing Rs 60,847 crore in April following a massive Rs 1,17,775 crore sell-off in March. Cumulative FPI outflows from Indian equities have reached Rs 1,91,969 crore in 2026, reflecting a shift in global capital towards Asian economies benefiting from the AI investment boom, particularly South Korea and Taiwan.
Indian stock markets closed the holiday-shortened week in the green with the BSE Sensex rising 249.29 points (0.32%). The combined market valuation of India's top 10 most valued firms increased by Rs 2.20 lakh crore, driven by Reliance Industries which added Rs 1,39,655.8 crore. However, six of the top-10 firms lost Rs 1.24 lakh crore collectively, with ICICI Bank suffering the sharpest decline of Rs 45,364.62 crore.
The Indian rupee fell 32 paise to an all-time low of 95.20 against the US dollar in early trade on Thursday, pressured by surging global oil prices past $120 and a strengthening dollar. The BSE Sensex crashed 821 points while FIIs continued offloading Indian equities, selling shares worth Rs 2,468.42 crore on Wednesday.
Asian markets traded mixed Monday with Japan's Nikkei 225 surging 1.4% to a new record high of 60,564.18, while South Korea's Kospi jumped 2.1% and Taiwan's Taiex rallied 2.6%. Oil prices climbed on stalled US-Iran peace talks and continued disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, with Brent crude rising above $100. Markets drew support from record Wall Street closes, including Intel's 23.6% surge, but remain cautious ahead of central bank decisions from the Fed, ECB, Bank of Japan and Bank of England.
European stock markets traded lower Friday as uncertainty over US-Iran peace talks weighed on sentiment. The Stoxx 600 fell 0.5%, with mining stocks sliding 1.7%. SAP shares surged 6.4% after reporting 17% operating profit growth and 19% cloud revenue increase. Renault dropped 2.2% despite 7.3% revenue rise. Oil prices ticked higher on Middle East tensions, with Brent at $105.65.
European stock markets opened lower on Friday as investor sentiment was weighed by uncertainty over U.S.-Iran peace talks. The pan-European Stoxx 600 fell 0.6%, with London's FTSE 100 and Paris's CAC 40 down 0.3% and 0.4% respectively, while Germany's DAX was marginally higher. Oil prices rose 0.4% to $105.44 per barrel amid ongoing Middle East tensions.
European stock futures pointed to a broadly negative open on Friday, with Stoxx 50 futures down 0.6% and FTSE 100 futures falling 0.8%, as investor sentiment was weighed by uncertainty over U.S.-Iran peace talks. President Trump told reporters not to rush a long-term deal with Iran, while U.S. forces searched another suspected Iranian oil tanker. Oil prices rose slightly, with Brent crude adding 0.4% to $105.44.
Asian markets retreated from record highs on Thursday as rising oil prices and US-Iran peace talk uncertainties dampened investor sentiment. Japan's Nikkei 225 briefly touched 60,013.98 before falling 1.5%, while other regional indices including Hong Kong's Hang Seng and China's Shanghai Composite also declined. Brent crude climbed about 1.5% to $103.39 per barrel amid concerns over supply disruptions from the Iran conflict and shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
