Global stock markets decline, oil prices slide over $2 per barrel on hopes for US-Iran deal
World shares mostly fell on Thursday while oil prices dropped more than $2 per barrel, as investors speculated about the potential for a US-Iran nuclear agreement that could ease sanctions and boost global oil supply.
US benchmark crude lost $2.37 to $60.78 per barrel, while Brent crude, the global standard, slipped $2.32 to $63.70 per barrel.
President Donald Trump, currently visiting Qatar during a Middle East tour, has encouraged the nation to use its influence with Iran to help curb its advancing nuclear program. A diplomatic breakthrough could lead to sanction relief for Tehran, influencing oil markets.
Earlier in the week, oil prices surged following news of a 90-day pause in the US-China tariff war, but gains reversed after the US Energy Information Administration reported higher-than-expected crude stockpiles, raising concerns about potential oversupply.
European markets opened lower, with Germany's DAX down 0.3% to 23,453.16, France's CAC 40 falling 0.3% to 7,814.40, and the FTSE 100 in London dipping 0.2% to 8,564.65. US futures also indicated a weaker open, with the S&P 500 down 0.6% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average off 0.4%.
China took steps to reverse some non-tariff measures against the US under the trade truce agreement but also urged Washington to reverse actions targeting Chinese technology.
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A Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson criticized the US for restricting Ascend computer chips from Huawei Technologies, calling it a breach of global trade rules.
Asian markets also declined. Japan's Nikkei 225 lost 1% to 37,775.51, with chip-related stocks like Disco Corp. and Advantest among the biggest losers. Hong Kong's Hang Seng dropped 0.8% to 23,453.16, the Shanghai Composite fell 0.7% to 3,380.82, Taiwan's Taiex eased 0.2%, and South Korea's Kospi declined 0.7%.
India's Sensex was the outlier, rising 1.6%, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.2% to 8,297.50.
On Wall Street Wednesday, trading was mixed. The S&P 500 edged up 0.1%, the Dow Jones fell 0.2%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.7%, helped by gains in major tech stocks.
Investors await the US April wholesale inflation report due Thursday, expected to show easing price pressures. A retail sales update is also anticipated, with analysts forecasting a sharp decline to 0.2% growth in April from 1.4% the prior month.
Retail giant Walmart will report earnings and provide guidance that will be closely scrutinized.
While markets jumped earlier in the week on easing trade tensions and lower-than-expected consumer inflation, uncertainty persists. Many tariffs remain in place, and the unpredictable nature of US trade policy under Trump has left businesses cautious and consumers wary. Companies continue to pull back on forecasts amid slower economic activity, with the US economy contracting 0.3% in the first quarter.
In currency trading Thursday, the US dollar slipped to 145.77 Japanese yen from 146.75 yen, while the euro rose to $1.1208 from $1.1174.
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