South Korea May 2026 inflation data higher than expected, keeps BoK on hike alert

Japan eyes sales tax cut from 2027 but bond market (and yen!) risks loom large

Kiwibank now expects the RBNZ to begin hiking in July after a 3:3 split vote, warning the central bank risks overtightening into an economy still scarred by recession.

Commerzbank (note from Friday) raised its Brent forecast to $90/bbl by end-September and $85 by year-end, up from $80 for both, citing Hormuz closure, inventory draws and a slow Gulf output recovery.

Israel PM contradicts Trump, will continue operating against Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon

Trump says Hormuz deal is "looking good" but his credibility gap keeps markets on edge Trump says the war is nearly over, and markets have heard that before.

BofA contrarian sell signal nears trigger as S&P optimism hits highest since February 2025 Wall Street's optimism gauge is flashing the kind of reading that has tended to end badly.

Oil settled more than 4% higher Monday after Iran's Tasnim said Tehran halted US talks and planned to fully block the Strait of Hormuz, before Trump's social media posts pared some gains.