Financial News · Live Terminal

Gold Futures Fall 1% to $4,771.9/Oz Pre-Bell; Silver Drops 1.5% to $75.29/Oz as Iran Truce Hangs in Balance

WTI, Brent Crude Futures Rise Pre-Bell as Trump Wants Hormuz Opened Before Peace Talks in Pakistan

FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCIKLSE:WASCO

Malaysian Shares Rebound Tracking Regional Rally as Islamabad Peace Talks Boost Sentiment

Malaysian shares ended higher on Friday, tracking gains across Asian markets as sentiment improved on signs of easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East ahead of highly anticipated US-Iran talks in Islamabad.The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI added 5.07 points to end 0.3% higher at 1,691.31. The day range was between 1,685.66 and 1,692.97.In economic news, Malaysia's unemployment rate stood at 2.9% in February, unchanged from the previous month, according to data released by the country's Department of Statistics.The sales value of Malaysia's wholesale and retail trade rose 5.3% annually to 156.3 billion ringgit in February, the Department of Statistics said. The growth was driven by a 7.7% increase in retail trade and a 5.7% rise in wholesale trade. Monthly, the sales value declined by 2.2%, the data showed.In corporate news, shares of Wasco (KLSE:WASCO) slid about 3% on close on news that it is seeking to renew its authorization to conduct revenue-generating transactions at its upcoming annual general meeting. The conglomerate is also seeking its shareholders' nod to renew authority to purchase up to 10% of the issued shares of the company.

Treasury155d ago

US 10-Year Treasury Yield Steady at 4.29% Pre-Bell; 1-Yr Rate Up 2.8 Basis Points at 3.71%

Sectors155d ago

Crude Oil Prices Rise as Attacks on Saudi Infrastructure Exacerbate Supply Concerns

Crude oil prices rose on Friday amid concerns about recent attacks on energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and its impact on global supply.Brent crude at last look gained 1% to US$96.89/barrel and West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 0.9% to $98.83/barrel. Prices are still expected to record weekly losses amid market optimism about the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran and Israel signaling a potential diplomatic opening, Reuters said in a Friday report.Attacks on Saudi facilities have cut its oil production capacity by about 600,000 barrels per day and throughput on the East-West Pipeline by about 700,000 bpd, Saudi state news agency SPA reported, citing an official source at the Ministry of Energy.Meanwhile, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was well below 10% of normal volumes on Thursday despite the ceasefire, Reuters reported.Mukesh Sahdev, founder & CEO of energy consultancy XAnalysts, said in the Reuters report that the "key variable now is how flows through the Strait of Hormuz actually resume - not whether they reopen."

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Treasury155d ago

US Treasury Yields Mixed Ahead of Inflation Report Amid Concerns Around Fragile Iran Ceasefire Deal

CBOE Volatility Index Falls Pre-Bell Ahead of CPI as Iran-US Truce Holds Before Talks in Pakistan

US Equity Futures Fall Pre-Bell Ahead of Inflation Report as Iran Ceasefire Deal Hangs in Balance

International155d ago

Correction: German Annual Inflation Confirmed at 2.7% in March

(Corrects month in the headline)Confirming the flash estimate, Germany's annual inflation rate increased to 2.7% in March from 1.9% in February, final data from the country's Federal Statistical Office showed Friday.On a monthly basis, consumer prices were up 1.1%, matching the preliminary reading and against the previous 0.2% uptick.The annual harmonized inflation rate for March was also confirmed at 2.8%, compared with 2% earlier. Meanwhile, harmonized consumer prices were affirmed to be 1.2% higher month over month, against the previous reading of a 0.4% gain.

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Singapore Shares Close Shy of 5,000 Milestone as Islamabad Peace Talks Boost Sentiment

Singapore shares recorded gains on Friday to end the week in green, as the Asian market reacted positively to a tentative geopolitical de-escalation in the Middle East ahead of the highly anticipated talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad.The Straits Times Index (STI), a key benchmark for the Singapore Exchange, ranged between 4,973.10 and 4,999.30 throughout the day. It ended the session at 4,989.41, up 12.33 points or nearly 0.3% compared to Thursday's close.On the corporate front, shares of BH Global (SGX:BQN) were down nearly 7% at the close as it proposed to renew its share buyback mandate.Metis Energy (SGX:L02) closed over 2% higher as it reported three consecutive years of pre-tax losses for its three most recent financial years.Meanwhile, shares of City Developments (SGX:C09) were nearly flat as it established a SG$2 billion multicurrency perpetual bonds issuance program.

South Korean Shares Close Higher Ahead of US-Iran Ceasefire Talks in Islamabad

South Korean shares closed higher on Friday as Iran and the US gear up for ceasefire talks in Pakistan's Islamabad later in the day after both sides agreed to a two-week truce on Thursday.US Vice President JD Vance is headed to Islamabad, while Tehran's participation in the talks remains uncertain after Israel attacked Beirut earlier this week.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi rose 80.86 points, or 1.4%, to end at 5,858.87. The Kosdaq also increased by 17.63 points, or 1.6%, to close at 1,093.63.In economic news, the Bank of Korea's Monetary Policy Board on Friday decided to keep the base rate steady at 2.50% for the intermeeting period, taking into account the uncertainty surrounding the recent developments in the Middle East, which could fan inflation.The central bank's decision was largely expected by all 31 economists polled by Reuters. Most of the 30 economists expect no rate change through this year, with only four forecasting an increase--three to 2.75% and one to 3% by year-end.Annual inflation is now projected to surpass the February forecasts of 2.2% for headline inflation and 2.1% for core inflation. However, uncertainty remains high due to oil prices, exchange rates, policy effects, and cost pass-through levels.In corporate news, HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (KRX:097230) won a redevelopment project in Busan from the Beomcheon 5 District Redevelopment Project Association, according to a Friday filing with the Korea Exchange.The contract is valued at 349.7 billion won.Shares of the shipbuilder rose more than 2% at market close.

KOSPI

International155d ago

Taiwan's Exports, Imports Rise in March

Taiwan's exports rose 61.8% year on year in March to a record $80.2 billion, while imports increased 38.3% on year to a record $58.9 billion, according to preliminary data released by the Ministry of Finance on Friday.Monthly, exports jumped 61% from February, while imports climbed 59.1%, the data showed.For January to March, cumulative exports totaled US$195.7 billion, up 51.1% from the same period a year earlier, while cumulative imports reached $142.8 billion, an increase of 34.8% from a year ago.

Taiwan Weighted

Hang SengHKG:2889HKG:6862

Hong Kong Stocks End in Green as Investors Track US-Iran Talks; Haidilao Chairman to Increase Stake in Firm

Hong Kong stocks closed marginally higher Friday as investors held out hope for a breakthrough in the upcoming peace talks between Iran and the U.S.The Hang Seng Index rose by around 141.14 points, or roughly 0.6%, to end at 25,893.54, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index increased by 43.21 points, or around 0.5%, to close at 8,655.04.U.S. and Iranian delegations arrived in Islamabad on Friday ahead of crucial talks beginning Saturday that could pave the way for a definitive peace treaty between the two sides.However, tensions lingered between both sides, as Israel continued attacks on Lebanon while Washington accused Iran of failing to re-open the Strait of Hormuz as promised.In corporate news, Haidilao International (HKG:6862) said its chairman and controlling shareholder Zhang Yong plans to increase his stake by no less than HK$100 million within 12 months.Shares of the restaurant operator gained nearly 3%.Pateo Connect Technology (Shanghai) (HKG:2889) entered a framework agreement to develop embodied intelligence with the Graduate School of AI Operating System of Shanghai Jiao Tong University.Shares of the smart cockpit solutions provider closed almost 4% lower.

Oil & Energy155d ago

EMEA Natural Gas Update: Futures Slip Despite Fragile Ceasefire, Persistent Iran Attacks

European natural gas futures were down on Friday, despite the fragile nature of the ceasefire between the US and Iran, and Tehran's continued attacks against regional energy infrastructure.The front-month Dutch TTF contract fell 2.06% to 45.22 euros ($52.81) per megawatt-hour, while UK NBP futures lost 2.36% to 114.00 pence ($1.50) per therm. Dutch TTF was set to end the week down by 9.58%, while UK gas was down 9.73%, according to data from Trading Economics.Iran's state-run media, on Friday, dismissed reports of senior officials visiting Pakistan to hold diplomatic talks with the US, according to a report by the Hindustan Times.The Tasnim News Agency reportedly reiterated the country's stance on the peace talks, saying, "As long as the [US] does not fulfill its commitment to the ceasefire in Lebanon and the Zionist regime continues its attacks, the negotiations are on hold."Meanwhile, Tehran continued targeting regional energy infrastructure, striking a key Saudi pipeline facility on Thursday and disrupting roughly 700,000 barrels per day of oil flows, according to various news outlets.Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the CEO of Adnoc, the UAE's state-owned oil company, said that despite the ceasefire being announced earlier this week, the Strait of Hormuz was not open.Access to the crucial Strait, which handles 20% of global LNG flows, he said, was still being "restricted, conditioned and controlled," in a social media post on Thursday.As the Strait's closure is set to enter its seventh week, just 9 vessels transited through it over the past 24 hours, according to the Hormuz Strait Monitor.This is in sharp contrast to the typical daily average of 138 ships per day, according to the UK's Joint Maritime Information Center, which noted that there were no new vessel attacks over the past 24 hours.Daniel Hynes, a senior commodity strategist at ANZ, said there was "no end in sight to the impasse," as LNG tankers continued to remain stuck in the Persian Gulf.Hynes also added that the resulting supply tightness was being compounded by the outages in Australia's LNG facilities, with Chevron's Wheatstone gas facility operating at jsut 50% of capacity, due to damage from Cyclone Narelle last month.All of this comes at a critical juncture for European markets, as the region enters refilling season with low inventories, at just 28.92% of capacity, compared to 34.97% last year, according to data from Gas Infrastructure Europe.

Oil & Energy155d ago

EMEA Oil Update: Brent Futures Rise Amid Middle East Tension

Brent futures gained more than 1% on Friday with Hormuz Straittraffic mostly still stuck and after Saudi Arabia reported a 10% drop in export capacity after a reported Iranian attack on its East-West pipeline.The Brent futures contract gained 1.6% to $97.37 per barrel. Murban closed at $99.62 on April 9 and was not trading as of the time of publication of this oil price update."Oil extended gains for a second session amid fresh Middle East supply concerns. Saudi Arabia reportedly saw production capacity reduced by around [600,000] b/d following attacks on its energy infrastructure, equivalent to roughly 10% of typical crude exports," ING analysts noted.An April 9-dated news article by the Saudi Press Agency citing the Energy Ministry referred to an attack "recently" on a pumping station on the East-West pipeline, which it said caused a loss of about 700,000 barrels in throughput.It did not make mention of the origin of the attack but a source told Reuters on Wednesday that it came from Iran, damaging Saudi Arabia's main alternative route to export markets since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.Market analysts warned that the damage to infrastructure may cause long-term disruptions. Oil and gas output has already been scaled back, and refinery operations remain curtailed, meaning it could take weeks or months to fully reverse the supply shock.Analysts from ING noted that while there was initial optimism regarding a resolution to the six-week conflict, geopolitical risk premiums remain high following new threats from Washington toward Tehran.US President Donald Trump warned Iran on Thursday amid reports that Tehran has started charging transit fees on tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz, as shipping through the key waterway remains largely restricted despite the ceasefire deal."There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait," Trump said in a social media post on Truth Social, "They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!"According to TRM Labs Thursday note, Iran's new toll framework requires payments of up to $2 million per vessel payable in cryptocurrency or Chinese yuan.Adding further pressure, the Tass news agency reported, citing a senior Iranian source, that Iran will limit transit to a maximum of 15 ships per day.The source reportedly said that under the current ceasefire, "fewer than 15 ships per day" will be permitted to sail via the Strait of Hormuz, according to the report.All eyes are now on the high-stakes talks between a US delegation and Iranian officials scheduled for this weekend.

Grail Insider Sold Shares Worth $2,286,526, According to a Recent SEC Filing

Aaron Freidin, Chief Financial Officer, on April 08, 2026, sold 45,806 shares in Grail (GRAL) for $2,286,526. Following the Form 4 filing with the SEC, Freidin has control over a total of 260,669 common shares of the company, with 260,669 shares held directly.SEC Filing:https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1699031/000162828026024551/xslF345X05/wk-form4_1775775505.xml

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Grail Insider Sold Shares Worth $6,164,923, According to a Recent SEC Filing

Robert P Ragusa, Director, Chief Executive Officer, on April 08, 2026, sold 123,502 shares in Grail (GRAL) for $6,164,923. Following the Form 4 filing with the SEC, Ragusa has control over a total of 518,582 common shares of the company, with 518,582 shares held directly.SEC Filing:https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1699031/000162828026024550/xslF345X05/wk-form4_1775775497.xml

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Grail Insider Sold Shares Worth $3,078,169, According to a Recent SEC Filing

Joshua J. Ofman, Director, President, on April 08, 2026, sold 61,665 shares in Grail (GRAL) for $3,078,169. Following the Form 4 filing with the SEC, Ofman has control over a total of 371,216 common shares of the company, with 371,216 shares held directly.SEC Filing:https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1699031/000162828026024549/xslF345X05/wk-form4_1775775489.xml

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