Evolution of the international financial markets and evaluation of the main events and economic indicators of the previous day session. Available in English.
As no relevant news came from the conflict in the Middle East, yesterday's session still had volatile energy markets but no major drivers. Brent crude prices closed nearly flat at USD 80/bbl, while TTF natural gas prices continued to ease, closing the session just above EUR 40/MWh. Volatility decreased after Wednesday's sharp increase following the Fed's meeting.
The Fed decided to keep rates steady in its first meeting with Kevin Warsh as chair, opening the possibility of future rate hikes later this year. Investor mood soured on the hawkish bias, with US treasury yields rising significantly, especially in the short term, after retail sales numbers in May showed a stronger-than-expected economy.
Markets remained on a risk-on mode on Tuesday, with expectations of an imminent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude prices dropped 5% for the second consecutive session, settling at $79/bbl, a minimum since early March. TTF natural gas fell by nearly 2%, closing the session just below EUR 42/MWh, while the EUR/USD remained stable around 1,16.
Risk sentiment improved on Monday, after reports during the last hour of the weekend announced a deal reached by the US and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, although its details are yet to be defined. TTF natural gas fell by more than 9%, closing the session at EUR 42.5/MWh, while Brent crude prices dropped nearly 5%, settling just above $83/bbl. Market implied volatility sharply fell sharply for the second consecutive session.
Friday's session was driven by optimism, especially in the euro area, where Thursday evening geopolitical headlines (Trump cancelled the strikes that were planned on Iran and declared being close to a peace agreement) were put in price. This deal has been reached during the weekend, it will be signed on Friday and will imply the reopening of Strait of Hormuz.
Yesterday's session was marked by late optimism after President Trump called off the US-planned strikes on Iran, after reportedly having advanced negotiations with Tehran. Brent crude prices dropped nearly 3%, to settle just above $90/bbl, while gold rebounded more than 3%, being priced above $4200/ounce at session-ending.
Risk-off sentiment built through Thursday’s session, initially driven by AI-led weakness in tech, followed by a mixed May US CPI (headline in line with expectations and core MoM below), and later by renewed geopolitical tensions after Trump announced a second round of US strikes on Iran, which started already around the US close.
Financial markets were whipsawed on Tuesday, with an early equity rebound led by AI-related stocks giving way to renewed volatility after the US announced strikes on Iranian sites late in the session. In commodities, crude oil and natural gas prices fell, reflecting easing Middle East tensions earlier in the day before geopolitical risks re‑emerged towards the close.
Risk appetite stabilised on Monday after early pressure from Middle East escalation, firmer Fed rate-hike expectations and a continued tech-led correction, with a late rebound in US equities containing losses. In commodities, Brent crude rose on renewed Iran–Israel tensions, though intraday headlines improved the outlook and capped gains.
Investors shifted gears across asset classes on Friday, as the US employment report showed robust job growth in May for a third month in a row. The resilient labour market and inflation risks led markets to fully price in a Fed rate hike by year‑end. US Treasury yields rose accordingly, especially at the short end, further flattening the curve.
Investor sentiment was cautiously positive on Thursday, supported by lower oil prices amid optimism that Iran and the US may be moving closer to a provisional peace deal, despite continued clashes involving both countries, as well as between Israel and Lebanon.
Yesterday's session was marked by a risk-off sentiment, as energy prices continued to rise amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, with the US and Iran exchanging strikes with reportedly the highest intensity since the ceasefire was started in early April. Brent crude prices were up nearly 2% and TTF natural gas prices were up 2.5%.