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US Leveraged Loan Funds See 10th Week of Inflows, $3.5B Since May
US leveraged loan funds have attracted $3.5 billion in inflows since May, marking a 10-week streak. The recovery follows a sell-off in February-March, driven by easing Iran tensions and higher rate expectations.
Iran Confirms US Meeting Postponed, MOU Signed Digitally
Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed a planned meeting with US officials in Switzerland has been postponed, but stated a Memorandum of Understanding was signed digitally. Preparations for a new meeting are underway.
Foreign Investors Hit Record 38.3% of Kospi Market Cap
Overseas investors now hold a record 38.3% of the Kospi's market cap, up 7 points since June 2025. Their total holdings of South Korean equities have tripled from 2024 to a record $1.39 trillion.
Deutsche Bank: Next Week’s Focus on Global Flash PMIs and Inflation
Deutsche Bank analysts highlight that next week’s main macro focus will be global flash PMIs and several key inflation reports.
Merz: Pharmaceuticals Reimbursement Is Internal Matter; Warns on Currency Manipulation
German opposition leader Friedrich Merz stated that pharmaceuticals reimbursement policy is an internal German matter, while also criticizing countries that subsidize overcapacity and keep their currencies artificially low.
Gold Bears Resurface, XAUUSD Heads for Third Weekly Loss
Gold prices extend losses for a third consecutive day, poised for a third straight weekly decline as renewed hawkish signals from the Federal Reserve weigh on the metal.
Semiconductor Stocks Hit Record 18.8% of S&P 500 Market Cap
Semiconductor stocks now account for a record 18.8% of the S&P 500's market cap, more than tripling since 2022. The SOX index has surged 546% over the same period.
US Signs MOU for Permanent Peace Deal; Hawkish Fed in Focus
The main market mover this week is the signing of a memorandum of understanding to work towards a permanent peace deal between the US and an unspecified party, which could lead to reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, while the Federal Reserve remains hawkish.
Israel and Hezbollah Reach Ceasefire Agreement, US Official Says
A senior US official told Reuters that Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire starting at 4 p.m. local time on Friday.
Iran Declares Ships Need Permission to Transit Strait of Hormuz, May Add Fees
Iran announced that all vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz must obtain permission and mandatory insurance, with potential future fees, raising the prospect of long-term control over the key oil chokepoint.
Oil Steadies as Strait of Hormuz Reopens, Comments from US VP
Oil prices stabilized after US Vice President JD Vance confirmed tankers carrying over 12 million barrels crossed the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude closed at $79.85.
Iran War Deal Criticized as One-Sided, US Objectives Unmet
The Iran war deal faces criticism for disproportionately favoring Tehran, with the US allegedly failing to achieve any of its stated objectives.
Trump: War Has Diminished Iran's Military Capabilities
Former President Trump stated that the war has significantly reduced Iran's military capabilities, contradicting Democratic claims that Iran is now better off.
Czech National Bank Adopts Hawkish Stance
The Czech National Bank has turned hawkish as GDP growth is expected to slow to just above 2% this year but accelerate again next year, reflecting a temporary slowdown.
Gold pressured by hawkish Fed, strong dollar – UOB
UOB Global Economics & Markets Research notes that gold softened as hawkish Federal Reserve signals and a firmer US Dollar weighed on prices. An interim US–Iran ceasefire reduced inflation fears and pulled oil lower, further curbing gold's appeal as an inflation hedge.
WTI Pauses Decline as Crude Shipments Resume Through Strait of Hormuz
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil stabilized around $75.60 on Friday, recovering slightly after crude shipments resumed through the Strait of Hormuz, though the commodity remains under pressure from earlier sharp declines.
Ebola Outbreak in Congo: Dozens of Healthcare Workers Infected, Chinese Team Arrives
Conflicting reports from the WHO indicate dozens of healthcare workers in Congo have been infected with Ebola, with varying death tolls. A Chinese medical team has arrived on the ground, and Uganda is preparing its own response team.
Rabobank: Global Rates Converging at Slightly Restrictive Levels
Rabobank notes that unchanged rates in the UK and US contrast with recent ECB and Bank of Japan hikes, but argues this is less divergence than it appears, with global rates converging at slightly restrictive levels.
Rabobank: Strait of Hormuz Risks Ease but Fees Loom
Rabobank reports that a 60-day US-Iran memorandum of understanding has reduced immediate risks of a Strait of Hormuz closure, but shipping fees remain a concern.
Oil Rises as US Markets Shut for Holiday, Focus Turns to Europe
Oil prices moved higher as US markets close for a holiday and attention shifts to Europe. UK politics also come into focus with Burnham preparing to challenge Starmer.
Relief Rally Meets Hawkish Fed Reality as Oil Pulls Back
The market narrative shifts to the US-Iran peace deal and Strait of Hormuz reopening, with crude falling to around $80/barrel. However, a hawkish Federal Reserve is capping the relief rally.
Markets Shift to Need for Proof, Not Hope
Financial markets have entered a new phase where investors are no longer satisfied with hope but require concrete evidence to sustain gains. Last week's relief rally is now being tested for durability.
US-Iran Peace Agreement Boosts Oil, Markets Overlook Hawkish Fed
The interim peace deal between the US and Iran has spurred oil flows and lifted global markets, shifting investor focus away from the Fed's surprise hawkish stance.
Deutsche Bank: Brent Oil Recovers After Initial Dip on US-Iran Deal
Deutsche Bank reports that Brent crude initially fell on the US-Iran memorandum of understanding as war premium faded, but later reversed to close slightly higher.