Asian equities climb as Nikkei 225 hits record high on U.S.-Iran deal hopes
Nikkei 225 sets record amid regional equity gains Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 2.19% on Thursday, retreating from earlier record highs that were driven by strength in technology and consumer cyclical stocks. Daikin Industries was the top performer on the index...
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Gold Rebounds Above $4,800 as Markets Weigh US-Iran Negotiation Outlook
Gold Price Performance and Market Levels Gold rose to 4,825.88 USD per troy ounce on April 16, 2026, up 0.75% from the previous day, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market. Despite the...
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U.S. Naval Blockade Fully Cuts Off Iranian Sea Trade, Centcom Says
U.S. Blockade Halts Iranian Maritime Trade Centcom stated late Tuesday that U.S. forces have established a blockade that has “completely cut off” Iran’s international sea trade, which accounts for about 90% of the country’s economy. Centcom commander Brad Cooper said...
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Oil Prices Slide as IEA Warns on Demand and Iran Talks Progress
Oil Retreats on Demand Concerns and Diplomatic Signals West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude slipped below $95 per barrel on Tuesday, extending a pullback in energy markets. The decline followed an updated assessment from the International Energy Agency, which cautioned that...
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IMF Cuts 2026 Global Growth Forecast on Middle East Conflict Risks
IMF Revises Global Growth and Inflation Outlook The IMF now expects the world economy to expand by 3.1% in 2026, compared with its earlier, higher forecast, citing fallout from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The projection for 2027...
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