Progress in talks between the United States and Iran appears to have stalled after Hezbollah rejected a proposed truce with Israel, collateralising regional diplomacy and keeping risk sentiment fragile.
In Europe’s backyard, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed peace talks in a letter to Vladimir Putin, a diplomatic overture that so far has not produced concrete movement. Separately, regulators barred Chinese and Hong Kong investors from participating in SpaceX’s IPO on national‑security grounds, underscoring how geopolitical tensions are reshaping capital flows.
Southeast Asia received a reprieve on inflation as oil retreated from recent highs, easing immediate price pressures across the region. Still, markets are cautious ahead of a closely watched US payrolls report due today that could sway rate expectations and risk appetite.
Macro data added a mixed tone. The eurozone economy unexpectedly contracted 0.2% in Q1, versus consensus for 0.1% growth, after a sharp 12% fall in Ireland — where the multinational sector plunged about 27% and distorted the headline reading. A cleaner gauge of domestic activity, modified domestic demand, rose 0.6%, suggesting underlying resilience.
Market moves were muted into regional sessions: European equities traded flat while the Nikkei and major Chinese indexes lost roughly 1% on average. US futures pointed to about a 0.5% weaker open. Oil prices were steady, with Brent near $94 a barrel, as investors balanced geopolitical risk with easing supply concerns.
Leave a Reply