Capitals, May 20 (SANA) Oil prices, gold and global stock markets fluctuated this week as investors assessed uncertainty surrounding the conflict involving Iran, the security of the Strait of Hormuz and the outlook for inflation and interest rates.
The S&P 500 closed down 0.1% on Monday, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.3% and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.5%.
Brent crude swung sharply during the week, rising above $112 a barrel before falling below $107. Prices later rebounded to around $112 amid concerns over possible disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil prices later eased after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would delay a planned military strike on Iran following requests from regional allies.
Analysts said higher oil prices increased pressure on global bond markets and raised concerns that central banks could delay interest-rate cuts or tighten monetary policy further.
The yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note briefly rose to 4.63% before easing to 4.59%, while Japanese bond yields approached their highest levels since the late 1990s.
Gold prices were broadly stable on Wednesday as investors weighed rising bond yields, a stronger U.S. dollar and prospects for renewed negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Spot gold traded at $4,480.57 an ounce, while U.S. gold futures fell 1.6% to $4,482.80.
Markets are also awaiting minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve’s April meeting for signals on future monetary policy.
Trump said the conflict with Iran could end “very quickly,” while Vice President JD Vance said Tehran appeared interested in reaching an agreement.
Reuters reported that two Chinese oil supertankers and a South Korean tanker exited the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, citing data from LSEG and Kpler, amid expectations that shipping through the strategic waterway could gradually resume.
On Wall Street, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals fell 9.8% after disappointing melanoma trial results, while Boston Scientific rose 6.2% after announcing a $2 billion share buyback program.
In overseas markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1%, while Germany’s DAX rose 1.5%.
M.F / ABD
