United News of Bangladesh

Brent crude oil prices climbed sharply to around $123 a barrel on Thursday as worries over the Iran war and stalled U.S.-Iran talks fuelled concerns about global supply disruptions and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude for June delivery rose 4.1% to $122.88 after briefly crossing $125 per barrel, while July contracts gained 2.5% to $113.17. U.S. crude also increased 2% to $109.05 a barrel. Before the conflict began in late February, Brent was trading near $70. The war has blocked a clear path to peace, with continued U.S. restrictions on Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz remaining shut, keeping oil markets under pressure. New reports suggesting possible further escalation by U.S. President Donald Trump also weakened hopes for a quick resolution. Analysts said the breakdown in talks has dampened expectations of a restart in oil flows. “The breakdown of talks between the U.S. and Iran, along with President Trump reportedly rejecting Iran’s proposal for a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, has the market losing hope for any quick resumption in oil flows,” ING Bank strategists Warren Patterson and Ewa Manthey said in a note. Oil prices have also moved close to their highest levels since 2008, when Brent hit $147.50 a barrel during the global financial crisis. In currency markets, the U.S. dollar strengthened further, reaching 160.61 Japanese yen, its highest level in nearly two years. It later closed at 160.44 yen. The euro slipped slightly to $1.1671. The dollar has benefited from its safe-haven status during global uncertainty and from relatively high U.S. interest rates. The Federal Reserve’s decision to keep rates unchanged on Wednesday also supported the currency. Analysts said Japanese authorities could step in if the yen weakens further. Global stock markets also declined. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1% to 59,284.92, South Korea’s Kospi dropped 1.4% to 6,598.87, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost 1.1% to 25,816.80. Shanghai’s Composite index edged up 0.2% to 4,113.88. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.2%, while Taiwan’s Taiex and India’s Sensex each fell about 1%. On Wall Street, U.S. futures and shares were mostly lower after a mixed session on Wednesday. The S&P 500 edged down less than 0.1%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.6%, while the Nasdaq posted a slight gain. Despite the broader weakness, some companies posted strong gains, with Starbucks rising 8.4% and Visa up 8.3% after better-than-expected earnings.

Stock markets across Asia fell on Tuesday while oil prices climbed, as efforts to end the Iran war appeared to lose momentum again. Despite a fragile ceasefire, the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, disrupting a key route for global oil supplies. Many Asian economies, especially resource-dependent Japan, rely heavily on this passage for energy imports. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 dropped 1.1% to 59,884.12 after the central bank kept its key interest rate unchanged at 0.75%. The Bank of Japan said the economy continues to grow at a moderate pace but warned of a likely slowdown as rising oil and commodity prices linked to the war increase costs. The decision by its policy board was split 6-3, reflecting differing views among members. Pressure has been building for Japan to gradually raise interest rates after years of keeping them near zero to tackle deflation. “There are various risks to the outlook,” the central bank said, noting that developments in the Middle East remain a key concern. Elsewhere in the region, South Korea’s Kospi rose 1% to 6,683.10. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.7% to 25,751.04, while China’s Shanghai Composite declined 0.2% to 4,078.77. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.6% to 8,717.80. Oil prices continued to rise. Brent crude for June delivery increased by $1.11 to $109.34 per barrel. The more actively traded July contract rose $1.08 to $102.77. Before the war, Brent was trading near $70 per barrel but has at times surged close to $120. U.S. benchmark crude also rose 96 cents to $97.33 per barrel. Investors are now awaiting interest rate decisions from the U.S. Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank and the Bank of England later this week. On Monday, U.S. markets showed modest gains. The S&P 500 edged up 0.1% to a record high of 7,137.91, following weeks of strong performance driven by solid corporate earnings and hopes that the global economy can withstand the impact of the war. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.1% to 49,167.79, while the Nasdaq composite rose 0.2%. Market attention is also focused on upcoming earnings reports from major tech companies, including Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms, Microsoft and Apple. In the bond market, U.S. Treasury yields rose slightly alongside oil prices. The yield on the 10-year Treasury increased to 4.33% from 4.31% late Friday. In currency trading, the U.S. dollar weakened slightly to 159.04 Japanese yen from 159.42 yen, while the euro dipped to $1.1716 from $1.1720.

Asian stock markets showed mixed performance on Monday, while oil prices jumped sharply as uncertainty continued over talks to end tensions involving Iran. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 hit a new record, rising 1.4% to close at 60,481.21 after touching an intraday high. South Korea’s Kospi also gained 2%. However, markets in Hong Kong and mainland China were less upbeat. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.3%, while the Shanghai Composite edged up slightly. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.3%. Taiwan’s Taiex jumped 1.8%, supported by strong demand for technology stocks driven by the growth of artificial intelligence. India’s Sensex also rose 0.4%. Oil prices surged as negotiations related to Iran faced setbacks. The White House canceled plans to send officials for further talks, with U.S. President Donald Trump saying discussions could continue remotely instead. Brent crude increased by $2 to $101.13 per barrel, while U.S. crude rose to $96.24. Investors are also watching closely as major central banks, including the Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Bank of Japan and Bank of England, prepare to announce interest rate decisions this week. On Wall Street, markets ended last week on a strong note. The S&P 500 rose 0.8% to a record close, while the Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.6% to a new high, helped by gains in technology shares. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped slightly. A survey by the University of Michigan showed consumer confidence weakened in April, though it improved slightly after a ceasefire in the Iran conflict was announced earlier. Despite hopes for stability, tensions between the U.S. and Iran continue to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns in global markets. Meanwhile, tech giant Intel saw its shares surge after strong earnings, driven by rising demand for AI-related products. In currency trading, the U.S. dollar weakened slightly against the Japanese yen, while the euro gained ground.

Global stock markets moved higher on Tuesday, with Wall Street also set to open stronger, while oil prices remained mostly unchanged amid ongoing uncertainty over talks between the United States and Iran. Futures for the S&P 500 rose 0.4% before trading began, while Dow Jones futures gained 0.6%. Nasdaq futures also edged up 0.4%. In the oil market, US benchmark crude slipped 14 cents to $87.28 per barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, fell 47 cents to $95.01 per barrel. The conflict involving Iran has disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route that carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply daily, pushing energy prices higher in recent weeks. US President Donald Trump has called on Iran to allow safe passage through the strait and has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports. However, Iran has taken a firm stance, refusing to negotiate under pressure. Iran’s chief negotiator and parliamentary speaker, Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf, said in a social media post that Tehran would not engage in talks “under the shadow of threats.” Despite this, Trump said he still plans to send a delegation led by Vice President JD Vance to Islamabad for discussions. However, Iran has indicated it will not participate unless the US softens its position. Trump also signalled that extending the current ceasefire, which expires Wednesday, is “highly unlikely.” Analysts say the situation remains fragile, with both sides facing pressure to reach an agreement before the truce ends. Even so, oil prices remain below earlier highs, when Brent crude had surged to $119 per barrel at the peak of tensions. The S&P 500 is also still trading above its pre-conflict level. In corporate news, Apple shares were little changed after the company announced that CEO Tim Cook will step down on Sept. 1, handing over the role to John Ternus. Cook will continue as executive chairman after leading the company for 15 years. Shares of UnitedHealth Group jumped more than 7% in premarket trading after the company reported better-than-expected first-quarter earnings and raised its full-year profit forecast. Investors are also watching developments in Washington, where Kevin Warsh, Trump’s nominee for Federal Reserve chair, is set to appear before the Senate Banking Committee. He is expected to face tough questions, particularly from Democrats over his financial disclosures. In Europe, Germany’s DAX rose 0.6%, while France’s CAC 40 added 0.2%. Britain’s FTSE 100 remained unchanged. Asian markets also closed higher. Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed 0.9%, supported by gains in technology stocks. South Korea’s Kospi surged 2.7%, while Taiwan’s Taiex rose 1.8%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index gained 0.5% and Shanghai’s Composite index edged up 0.1%. However, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped slightly by less than 0.1%.

Asian stock markets mostly moved higher on Wednesday, following a strong rally on Wall Street as oil prices declined amid hopes that the United States and Iran may resume talks to end their conflict. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.4% in afternoon trading to 58,122.52. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was nearly unchanged, edging up less than 0.1% to 8,978.70. South Korea’s Kospi jumped 2.1% to 6,092.77. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.4% to 25,980.69, while China’s Shanghai Composite slipped slightly by less than 0.1% to 4,023.40. On Wall Street, stocks closed higher, extending gains from the previous session. The S&P 500 climbed 1.2% and is now just 0.2% below its record high set in January. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 317 points, or 0.7%, while the Nasdaq composite surged 2%. In the oil market, U.S. benchmark crude fell 58 cents to $90.70 per barrel. Brent crude edged up 7 cents to $94.86 after dropping sharply by 4.6% a day earlier. Although prices remain above pre-war levels of around $70, they are well below the peak of $119 reached earlier. Lower oil prices help reduce costs for businesses, but analysts cautioned that the ongoing conflict still poses risks. Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade, said the drop in oil prices reflects growing expectations that Washington and Tehran could restart negotiations after earlier talks failed. He noted that traders appear to be focusing on the possibility of easing tensions rather than current supply concerns. Asian economies remain heavily reliant on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for crude exports from the Persian Gulf. Any disruption there can tighten global supply and push prices higher. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund said global inflation is expected to rise to 4.4% this year from 4.1% in 2025, revising its earlier forecast of a slowdown to 3.8%. The IMF also lowered its global growth outlook to 3.1% from the 3.3% projected in January. Overall, the S&P 500 gained 81.14 points to 6,967.38, the Dow rose 317.74 to 48,535.99, and the Nasdaq added 455.35 to 23,639.08. In the bond market, U.S. Treasury yields declined as easing oil prices reduced inflation concerns. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.25% from 4.30%. In currency trading, the U.S. dollar strengthened slightly to 158.95 Japanese yen from 158.79 yen, while the euro slipped to $1.1790 from $1.1797.

Oil prices rose in early market trading Sunday after the U.S. said it would blockade Iranian ports beginning Monday. The price of U.S. crude oil rose 8% to $104.24 a barrel and Brent crude oil, the international standard, rose 7% to $102.29. Brent crude has swung dramatically during the Iran war, rising from roughly $70 per barrel before the war in late February to more than $119 at times. On Friday, ahead of the peace talks, Brent for June delivery fell 0.8% to $95.20 per barrel. Iran has been effectively controlling the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global oil shipping. U.S. Central Command said the blockade would be “enforced impartially against vessels of all nations” entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. It said it would still allow ships traveling between non-Iranian ports to transit the Strait of Hormuz. Around a fifth of the world’s traded oil typically flows through the Strait of Hormuz every day. Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Iran are all major exporters. Traffic in the strait has been limited even in the days since the ceasefire. Marine trackers say over 40 commercial ships have crossed since the start of the ceasefire. Claudio Galimberti, chief economist of Rystad Energy, said the blockade will raise prices but might move the needle on talks.

Asian share markets slipped on Thursday, while oil prices climbed back near $100 per barrel as hopes for easing tensions in the Iran conflict remained unclear. U.S. futures dropped by 0.5%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.3% to 53,603.65, while South Korea’s Kospi saw a sharper decline of 3.2% to 5,460.46. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index dropped 1.9% to 24,856.43, and China’s Shanghai Composite lost 1.1% to 3,889.08. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped slightly by 0.1%, and Taiwan’s Taiex was down 0.3%. Oil prices increased again on Thursday. Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose 3.3% to $100.41 per barrel after falling below $95 the previous day. U.S. crude also climbed 3.8% to $93.74 per barrel. The rise in oil prices followed Iran’s rejection of a U.S.-proposed ceasefire plan on Wednesday. The proposal, put forward by the administration of President Donald Trump, included 15 points aimed at easing tensions. Trump also delayed his earlier deadline to take strong action against Iran’s power facilities in an effort to push Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Iran carried out further attacks on Israel and Gulf Arab nations, while Israel launched airstrikes on Tehran. The U.S. is also preparing to send additional troops to the region. The Strait of Hormuz — a key route between Iran and Oman through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes — has remained mostly closed since the conflict began. As a result, oil prices have been volatile, rising roughly 40% over the past four weeks. On Wednesday, U.S. stock markets ended higher. The S&P 500 rose 0.5% to 6,591.90, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.7% to 46,429.49, and the Nasdaq composite increased 0.8% to 21,929.83. Shares of Arm Holdings surged 16.4% in the U.S. after the British company announced plans to produce and sell its own chips, a move expected to boost future earnings. Meanwhile, shares of Swiss sportswear brand On Holding dropped 11.2% after its CEO Martin Hoffmann announced he would step down. The company has appointed its two co-founders as co-CEOs. In early Thursday trading, gold and silver prices declined. Gold fell 2.7% to $4,428.80 per ounce, while silver dropped 5.2% to $68.88 per ounce. The U.S. dollar edged up slightly to 159.49 Japanese yen from 159.47 yen, while the euro remained unchanged at $1.1559.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has outlined 10 immediate ways households, businesses and governments can save money as oil prices surge above $100 per barrel following what it calls the largest supply disruption in global oil market history. The crisis stems from the US-Israel war on Iran, which has severely reduced shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a key artery that normally carries around 20 per cent of global oil consumption, or roughly 20 million barrels per day. The loss of these flows has tightened markets sharply, pushing up not just crude prices but also refined fuels such as diesel, jet fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), reports GulfNews. While countries have already responded with supply-side measures — including a record 400 million barrel release from emergency reserves — the IEA says these alone are not enough. “The war in the Middle East is creating a major energy crisis, including the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market. In the absence of a swift resolution, the impacts on energy markets and economies are set to become more and more severe,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. “As the global energy authority, the IEA is doing everything we can to support the stability of energy markets. We have recently launched the largest ever release of IEA emergency oil stocks – and I am in close contact with key governments around the world, including major energy producers and consumers, as part of our international energy diplomacy,” Birol said. Measures to adopt In addition, Birol said today’s report provides a menu of immediate and concrete measures that governments, businesses and households can take on the demand side to shelter consumers from the impacts of this crisis. “It draws on the IEA’s decades of expertise in this field and highlights measures that have been proven to work in practice in different contexts. I believe it will be of use to governments around the world, in both advanced and developing economies, in these challenging times,” Birol added. Why demand cuts matter The agency stressed that reducing demand is a “critical and immediate tool” to ease pressure on consumers, improve affordability and support energy security until normal supply flows resume. Road transport — which accounts for around 45% of global oil demand — is the biggest focus, though the recommendations also cover aviation, cooking and industry. The 10 ways to save money So, what are the 10 ways to save money? IEA’s report highlights simple, proven actions that can quickly cut fuel use and lower household expenses: 1. Work from home where possible Cuts fuel use by reducing daily commuting. 2. Reduce highway speed limits by at least 10 km/h Lower speeds reduce fuel consumption across vehicles. 3. Use public transport Switching from private cars to buses and trains reduces oil demand. 4. Alternate private car access in cities Number-plate rotation systems can cut congestion and fuel use. 5. Car sharing and efficient driving Higher occupancy and eco-driving lower fuel consumption. 6. Improve efficiency in deliveries and freight Better driving, maintenance and load optimisation reduce diesel use. 7. Divert LPG use from transport Preserves LPG for essential needs like cooking. 8. Avoid air travel where alternatives exist Reduces demand for jet fuel, especially business travel. 9. Switch to modern cooking solutions Electric cooking can reduce reliance on LPG. 10. Improve industrial efficiency and switch feedstocks Helps reduce oil consumption and free up fuel for critical uses. The IEA said that while these demand-side measures cannot fully offset the scale of the supply disruption, widespread adoption can “play a meaningful role” in lowering costs, reducing market strain and preserving fuel for essential uses.

U.S. stock markets moved lower on Friday, heading toward a fourth straight week of losses, although a slight drop in oil prices helped calm markets in other parts of the world. The S&P 500 fell 0.5% in early trading and was on track for its longest weekly losing streak in a year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 126 points, or 0.3%, while the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.8%. Rising bond yields continued to put pressure on U.S. stocks. Higher yields make borrowing more expensive for businesses and consumers, which can slow economic growth and reduce investment demand. Yields have been increasing since the war with Iran began, as investors worry that higher oil and gas prices could push inflation up. Due to these concerns, traders are now less hopeful that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this year. According to market data, some investors are even considering a small chance of a rate hike in 2026 — something that seemed very unlikely before the conflict. Lower interest rates usually support economic growth and stock prices, and Donald Trump has repeatedly called for cuts. However, reducing rates too quickly could worsen inflation. Outside the United States, markets showed more stability after Thursday’s sharp declines. Stock indexes rose slightly in Europe and gained 0.3% in South Korea, although markets in China fell. The relative calm came as oil prices eased. Brent crude slipped 0.3% to $108.29 per barrel, while U.S. benchmark crude remained nearly unchanged at $95.53. Oil prices have been highly volatile since the war began, rising from around $70 per barrel. Markets are closely watching how long the conflict will last and its impact on energy supplies, especially in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments that Iran has restricted. Among individual companies, Super Micro Computer shares plunged 28.2% after U.S. authorities accused a senior executive and others of illegally exporting advanced chips to China. The company said it is cooperating with investigators and has suspended the employees involved. On the positive side, FedEx rose 2.8% after reporting stronger-than-expected quarterly profits. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury climbed to 4.32%, up from 4.25% a day earlier and significantly higher than 3.97% before the war began.

Oil prices surged in early Asian trading, with Brent crude rising 4% to $112 (£84.34) per barrel, while US benchmark crude gained 3% to reach $99.27. The spike followed an attack on Iran’s South Pars gas facility, one of the largest natural gas fields in the world. In response, Iran reportedly struck a major liquefied natural gas export facility in Qatar, causing extensive damage and heightening concerns over global energy supplies. Despite the latest increase, oil prices remain below earlier highs in the conflict, when crude nearly reached $120 per barrel, though they are still significantly higher than pre-war levels. Meanwhile, Asian stock markets opened lower on Thursday. South Korea’s Kospi dropped 3%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 2.8%, and Australia’s ASX 200 declined by 1.6%. With inputs from BBC