Crude prices climbed toward their highest close in four years as the war in Iran shows no signs of de-escalation, intensifying fears of supply disruption through key Middle East routes. The latest leg higher is amplifying inflation concerns and feeding a broader risk-off tone across global assets.
Source: MarketWatch
Asia stocks tumble; Nikkei sinks 4.5% on Middle East escalation
Asian markets opened sharply lower, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 sliding 4.5% as investors fled risk amid escalating conflict in the Middle East and a spike in energy prices. The selloff reflects mounting concerns that higher oil could pressure growth, margins, and central-bank paths across the region.
Source: Seeking Alpha
U.S. Treasury flags private credit risk, to consult insurance regulators
The U.S. Treasury will engage state insurance regulators over rising exposures to private credit, a rapidly growing corner of markets increasingly held by life insurers. The review underscores mounting concern about liquidity and valuation risks in less transparent credit assets during periods of stress.
Source: Seeking Alpha
WTO talks end without deal on e‑commerce duty moratorium
A WTO ministerial in Cameroon concluded without agreement to extend the global moratorium on customs duties for digital transmissions. The failure raises the prospect of new digital tariffs, which could increase costs for cross-border services and cloud-based business models if countries opt to impose levies.
Source: Seeking Alpha
BofA: Expect weak stocks and bonds, stronger dollar into Q2
Bank of America’s strategy team warned that higher-for-longer rates and an energy shock set up a difficult backdrop for both equities and fixed income in the near term. The bank favors dollar strength and defensive positioning as markets digest inflation risks and geopolitical uncertainty.
Source: Seeking Alpha
Eli Lilly strikes multibillion-dollar AI drug pact with Insilico
Eli Lilly agreed to a deal with Hong Kong-listed Insilico Medicine that combines access to Insilico’s AI discovery platform with early-stage assets; terms include $115 million upfront and up to roughly $2.75 billion tied to milestones. The tie-up highlights big pharma’s accelerating push to integrate AI across R&D.
Source: SCMP
Aluminum jumps 6% on LME as attacks hit Middle East producers
Aluminum futures surged about 6% in London after Iranian strikes disrupted output at major Middle East producers, tightening supply for key industrial users. The spike adds to input-cost pressure for sectors from autos to aerospace, already contending with higher energy prices.
Source: Seeking Alpha
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