Amid Energy

• I prezzi del petrolio sono balzati sopra i 100 dollari al barile, superando i 115 dollari mentre l'Iran controlla lo Stretto di Hormuz; il greggio Brent è salito del 6% mentre gli Stati Uniti cercano di liberare le rotte marittime. • L'S&P 500 è sceso con tutti gli 11 settori in calo, eccetto quello dell'energia (+0,9%); il Dow Jones è sceso di circa l'1%, mentre l'area Asia ex-Japan è cresciuta del 2,8%, guidata dal KOSPI con un guadagno del 5% verso nuovi massimi. • I rendimenti dei Treasury USA sono saliti lungo tutta la curva di 7-10 punti base, con il Treasury a 30 anni che ha superato il 5,0% mentre aumentano le pressioni inflazionistiche e l'indice USD è salito sopra 98.

• Il Segretario al Tesoro Scott Bessent ha descritto le misure economiche del Presidente Trump come soffocanti per il regime iraniano durante un'apparizione su Fox News il 3 maggio. • L'economia dell'Iran affronta perdite giornaliere di 435 milioni di dollari e un'inflazione alimentare del 112% a causa del blocco statunitense, secondo un'analisi di FOX Business. • L'aumento dei prezzi della benzina negli Stati Uniti derivante dal conflitto con l'Iran sta creando sfide economiche più ampie, nonostante la pressione su Teheran.

The regional bloc agreed to safeguard regional energy security through strengthened cooperation, timely policy responses and engagement with dialogue partners.

• Cuba announced the release of 2,010 prisoners on April 4 following intense US pressure linked to the island's worsening energy crisis. • Gesture aims to ease bilateral tensions as Trump administration leverages geopolitical leverage. • Amid blackouts and shortages, release signals Havana's bid for concessions or sanctions relief.

• Energy stocks like Exxon Mobil, Occidental Petroleum, and Valero Energy topped S&P 500 performers for the month and quarter due to oil prices exceeding $100 per barrel. • Exxon Mobil recorded its largest quarterly gain, benefiting from sustained high crude demand. • Sector strength highlights vulnerability of broader market to geopolitical risks and inflation.

• President Trump announced he is delaying threatened strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure, citing productive talks on ending the war and extending the deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. • Iranian leaders continue to deny any direct talks are taking place with U.S. officials, maintaining their public position on the dispute. • The delay signals potential diplomatic progress while tensions remain high over regional shipping routes critical to global oil supplies.

• President Trump announced a 10-day pause in strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure through April 6, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, citing ongoing negotiations mediated by Pakistan under a 15-point framework. • Trump disclosed that Iran sent ten oil tankers as a goodwill gesture, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized Iran's clerical leadership as "religious fanatics" posing a global nuclear threat. • Israel confirmed the killing of Iran's navy head responsible for Strait of Hormuz disruptions, while Iran launched emergency recruitment and lowered its draft age to 12, according to CBN News reporting.