Market News

Global Markets:

•  Asian Stock Markets : Nikkei up 1.23%, Shanghai Composite down 1.00% Hang Seng down 0.70% ASX down 1.06%
• Commodities : Gold at $4,670.85 (-0.18%) Silver at $72.272(-0.89%), Brent Oil at $109.63 (0.60%), WTI Oil at $111.17 (-0.29%)
• Rates : US 10-year yield at 4.356, UK 10-year yield at 4.8460, Germany 10-year yield at 3.0032

News & Data:

• (USD) Non-Farm Employment Change  178K  to 65K  expected

Markets Update:

Asian markets showed mixed movement on Monday as investors reacted cautiously to escalating tensions in the Middle East over the weekend. Stocks in Japan and South Korea advanced, while several other regional markets remained closed for public holidays.

On Sunday, U.S. President Donald…

IC Markets Global – Asia Fundamental Forecast | 06 April 2026

What happened in the U.S. session?

The Iran war’s intensification overnight spiked oil prices over 30-40% from recent levels due to Strait of Hormuz risks, overshadowing solid March jobs data and looming hotter CPI from energy shocks, hammering equities (S&P 500 down sharply, erasing trillions), boosting oil futures, and pressuring precious metals as the dollar rebounded.

What does it mean for the Asia Session?

Asian traders entering Monday, 6 April 2026, should position for a thin, holiday‑distorted session dominated by lingering Middle‑Eastern war risk, elevated oil and energy‑linked volatility, and a still‑live “April BOJ hike” storyline that continues to drive JPY and…

IC Markets Global – Europe Fundamental Forecast | 06 April 2026

What happened in the Asia session?

Consolidation after a volatile start to the week, as markets digest the Iran‑war risk premium without fresh major escalations while positioning for upcoming China‑area inflation and activity data. Oil has stabilized in the high‑90s to low‑100s, underpinning gold and weighing on energy‑importing Asian economies.

What does it mean for the Europe & US sessions?

A mix of lingering geopolitical risk, central‑bank‑policy uncertainty, and upcoming inflation data that could sharpen the narrative around rate‑cut timing. Equities in both regions have been trading in a nervous range, supported by still‑healthy U.S. manufacturing activity (ISM PMI above…

Strong Non-Farms Surprises Market – DXY up 0.16%

Global financial markets closed out last week in subdued fashion, with several major financial centres offline for the Easter holiday, leading to thin liquidity and limited price action across key asset classes. With US equity markets closed, investor focus shifted toward geopolitical developments in the Middle East and the release of key US labour market data. Despite the holiday conditions, the US Non-Farm Payrolls report delivered a significant upside surprise, printing at 178k against expectations of just 65k, while the Unemployment Rate edged lower to 4.3%. The stronger data prompted a move higher in US Treasury yields, with the 2-year rising 4.3 basis points to 3.840% and the…

The headline comes from Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson in saying that Tehran has formulated its diplomatic response to the US but will only announce it in due time. We have to wait and see but there is a mixed reception towards all the headlines from the rumour mill in the past 24 hours.

For now, markets are keeping a bit more optimistic. The dollar is down across the board in the absence of European traders while US futures are nudging higher on the day. EUR/USD is up 0.4% to 1.1555 while S&P 500 futures are up 0.4% on the day now. That as oil prices come off the boil with WTI crude dropping from a high of $114 in Asia to $109 levels now.

Despite the financial market optimism though, betting markets are not convinced. The odds of a…

• Tehran has received Pakistan's proposal, it is being reviewed
• Will not accept deadlines or pressure to make a decision
• Iran will not reopen Strait of Hormuz Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a 'temporary ceasefire'
• Believes that US lacks readiness for a permanent ceasefire

If there's any question that Iran might want to strike a deal before tomorrow, that thought is slowly dissipating as the hours continue to roll by. As a reminder, US president Trump delivered a warning to Tehran that tomorrow will be "power plant and bridge day" - alluding to massive strikes against Iran.

The official above confirms that Iran has received Pakistan's peace proposal and are reviewing it. However, they aren't willing to go as far as to accept any 'temporary…

This is not a one-sided war. Iran has shown it can still hit back. Iranian fire brought down a U.S. F-15E, an A-10 was also hit during the rescue effort, and the wider conflict has now wounded 365 U.S. service members and killed 13, according to Pentagon data reported by AP. Iran is also still using the Strait of Hormuz as leverage, and Reuters reported that U.S. intelligence thinks Tehran is unlikely to loosen its grip on the waterway soon.

The search for the missing airman from the downed F-15 is still on and I hope he will find his way to peace and back to his family's arms.

But Iran has also been hit hard in the past 48 hours. There were strikes on a petrochemical zone in southwestern Iran that injured five people, a projectile hitting…

Trump posted this on Truth Social:

With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE. IT WOULD BE A "GUSHER" FOR THE WORLD??? President DONALD J. TRUMP

Trump initially pitched a 4-6 week timeline for this war and then repeatedly said they were ahead of schedule. Today marks the end of the fifth week and now Trump is talking about "a little more time". Officials have floated 2-3 more weeks but this sounds like he's nudging the discourse towards something longer.

The idea of 'taking the oil' is the sort of thing that sparks a forever war, as you have to secure all those facilities and fields.

Yesterday, the US also escalated the conflict by bombing Iran's largest bridge, along with Trump warning that…