Key Takeaways KOSPI explodes: South Korea’s index surged nearly 5% to a record high, leading Asia higher on chip-stock strength. SK Hynix soars 12%: The memory chip giant hit a record high, while Samsung Electronics rose nearly 6% — both fueled by AI-driven supply shortages. Trump-Xi summit confirmed: Chinese state …

Key Takeaways Crude surges: Brent oil futures climbed 4.2% to $105.55 per barrel, while WTI advanced 4.8% to $100.00. Wild reversal: Both contracts had crashed more than 6% last week on peace deal optimism. Trump’s bombshell: The president rejected Tehran’s counterproposal as “totally unacceptable,” dashing hopes for near-term de-escalation. U.S. …

Key Takeaways Friday rebound: Brent crude rose 0.7% to $100.72 per barrel, while WTI added 0.4% to $95.19. Early surge: Both contracts jumped as much as 3% in early Asian hours on news of renewed U.S.-Iran fighting. Brutal week: Oil is still on track for a 7% weekly decline as …

Key Takeaways Bitcoin retreats: The world’s largest crypto fell 1.7% to $79,679.8 on the Hormuz escalation. Six straight weekly gains: Despite Friday’s drop, Bitcoin is still up 1.3% on the week — its sixth consecutive weekly advance. Institutional support: Strong institutional buying, bargain demand, and progress on a key U.S. …

Key Takeaways Dollar softens: The U.S. Dollar Index slipped 0.1% in European trading at 08:49 GMT. No bearish signal yet: BofA strategists note the dollar has softened but “no bearish signal has been triggered,” with positioning broadly neutral. Hormuz tensions return: U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged fire near the strait …

Key Takeaways Broad-based decline: The Stoxx 600 slipped 0.77%, Germany’s DAX dropped 0.90%, France’s CAC 40 declined 0.73%, and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 fell 0.63%. Hormuz clashes erupt: U.S. Central Command said American destroyers came under Iranian missile, drone, and small-boat attacks Thursday, prompting retaliatory U.S. strikes on Bandar Abbas …

Key Takeaways Regional retreat: Asian markets fell broadly Friday, with Wall Street’s overnight slide setting a weak tone after U.S. forces intercepted attacks on three warships in Hormuz. Tech holds firm: S&P 500 futures rose 0.2% in Asian trade as AI optimism continued to support technology stocks. KOSPI stars despite …

Key Takeaways Gold rises: Spot gold gained 0.8% to $4,723.52 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures climbed 0.5% to $4,731.96. Weekly winner: Bullion is on track for a near 2% weekly gain after rebounding from one-month lows earlier in May. Hormuz flare-up: U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged fire Thursday — …

Key Takeaways Crude jumps: Brent oil futures rose 2.1% to $103.37 per barrel, while WTI climbed 2.2% to $96.90 — bouncing back after Thursday’s 1% decline. Direct clash: Iran accused the U.S. of targeting an Iranian oil tanker and another vessel entering Hormuz, plus strikes on Qeshm Island and coastal …

Key Takeaways Bitcoin retreats: The world’s largest crypto fell 0.7% to $80,951.3, dipping from three-month highs. April winning streak: Bitcoin surged nearly 12% in April on bargain buying and Iran de-escalation hopes. Strategy’s sale threat: Top corporate holder Strategy Inc said it may sell some Bitcoin to fund dividend payments. …