Peace Hopes

• Asian stock markets rose following renewed hopes for peace negotiations involving Iran. • Japan's Nikkei index reached a historic milestone, surpassing the 65,000 mark for the first time. • Despite the gains, analysts warn that markets remain volatile due to persistent inflation, high energy prices, and uncertainty regarding global interest rates.

• The Nikkei stock index closed above the 65,000 mark for the first time on Monday, reaching a historic milestone. • This surge was primarily driven by investor optimism that the United States and Iran are nearing an agreement to end their ongoing conflict. • The rally highlights how geopolitical stability in the Middle East can significantly boost investor confidence in Japanese equity markets.

• Japan's Nikkei 225 index surged over 2.8% to surpass the 65,000 mark for the first time in history. • The record rally was driven by strong technology sector earnings and growing optimism surrounding U.S.-Iran peace negotiations. • This surge reflects a broader improvement in global risk sentiment, with positive gains also seen in China's Shanghai Composite and Australia's S&P/ASX 200.

Brent crude futures down 5.5% to lowest level in two weeks and stock markets riseOil prices have fallen below $100 a barrel and stock markets have risen on hopes that the US and Iran are inching closer to a peace deal.Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, were down 5.5% to just below $98 a barrel, the lowest levels in two weeks, with hopes that an agreement to end the US-Israeli war on Iran can be struck. Continue reading...

• Indian equity indices surged sharply on May 6, 2026, with Sensex gaining 940.73 points (1.22%) to close at 77,958.52 and Nifty rising 298.15 points (1.24%) to 24,330.95, driven by optimism over potential US-Iran peace negotiations and declining crude oil prices. • Banking stocks led the rally following the Union Cabinet's approval of an emergency credit guarantee programme worth Rs 15,800 crore to support businesses facing liquidity stress, with Hero MotoCorp climbing 2.6% and Mahindra & Mahindra advancing 3.1% on strong quarterly earnings. • Broader market indices also gained traction, with Nifty smallcap100 and midcap100 rising 0.9% and 1.1% respectively, though FMCG stocks declined amid easing geopolitical tensions in West Asia that had previously pushed Brent crude to $115 per barrel.

FTSE 100 slides and UK gas prices up amid fears strait of Hormuz will be closed for extended periodBusiness live – latest updatesOil prices rose sharply and European stock markets fell on Monday, after the US seizure of an Iranian vessel hit hopes for a peace deal.Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, rose by as much as 5% on Monday to $95.50 (£70.75) a barrel. Continue reading...

Markets in Asia and Europe move higher, while crude hovers at about $100 a barrel amid cautious optimismBusiness live – latest updatesThe price of oil has dipped and Asian stock markets moved higher after reports that Donald Trump has sent a 15-point framework for peace to Iran, amid hopes of a ceasefire in the Middle East.Oil prices had fallen by 4% in the early hours of Wednesday, with brent crude futures sinking below $100 a barrel and even moving as low as $97.57 as trading was influenced by the prospect of an end to the conflict easing the squeeze on oil supply. Continue reading...