Markets showed mixed signals in Europe and Asia on Monday. Tech stocks, especially chipmakers, saw big gains following a rally on Wall Street. Oil prices also rose; Brent crude climbed over $2 a barrel amid new U.S. efforts to guide shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has rejected this plan but is reviewing the U.S. response to its peace proposals, according to the Mizan news agency.
U.S. benchmark crude rose by $1.80 to $103.73, while Brent crude reached $110.40, up by $2.23. The S&P 500 futures remained steady, while the Dow Jones dipped by 0.3%. In Europe, Germany’s DAX inched up by 0.1%, but the CAC 40 in Paris fell by 0.5%. Trading was muted in Britain due to a holiday.
In Asia, Seoul’s market thrived, with the Kospi jumping 5.1% as tech stocks soared, especially Samsung Electronics, which surged by 5.4%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng also rose by 1.2%. Meanwhile, trading was paused in Japan and China for their Golden Week holiday, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped by 0.4%.
Analysts emphasize the importance of resolving the ongoing conflict with Iran. The bottleneck in oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz continues to strain the oil market. Stephen Innes from SPI Asset Management noted that many ships remain stuck in the Gulf, with limited storage forcing oil producers to halt production.
Thousands of seafarers have been trapped in the Persian Gulf since the conflict began. Many have shared harrowing stories of drones and missiles overhead while struggling with dwindling supplies of food and water.
Meanwhile, news surfaced about “Project Freedom,” launched by the U.S. in the Middle East. This initiative involves guided-missile destroyers and thousands of service members, although details about its implementation remain unclear.
On the stock front, the S&P 500 recently hit a new high of 7,230.12, marking its fifth consecutive week of gains. The index’s rise was significantly aided by Apple, which reported strong profits, reflecting broader trends. Despite geopolitical tensions, U.S. companies have generally exceeded earnings expectations in early 2026.
In currency exchanges, the dollar strengthened against the yen, rising to 156.92 from 156.80, while the euro fell to $1.1717 from $1.1746.
As we look ahead, analysts suggest that maintaining stability in the oil markets and navigating the geopolitical landscape will be crucial for economic prospects.
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Apple, Inc., Donald Trump, Stocks and bonds, Financial markets, Iran war, Oil and gas industry, Semiconductor manufacturing, Strait of Hormuz, General news, Climate and environment, World news, Iran, Stephen Innes, Energy markets, Business, Esmail Baghaei, Iran government, Europe, Asia, 2024-2026 Mideast wars, Climate, World News
