Oil prices fell in early trade on Friday on optimism the Middle East conflict could be nearing an end after a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel took effect and President Donald Trump said the U.S. and Iran may meet for talks on the weekend.
Thailand faces slower growth this year due to the Iran war and there are almost "no limits" to worst-case economic scenarios if the conflict continues, a senior central bank official told Reuters.
The UK's automotive industry group SMMT said on Thursday carmakers need clarity now on whether Britain will count as 'Made in EU' in the European Commission's Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) policy as the ambiguity risks delaying investments.
The Bank of Japan will raise its benchmark rate to 1.00% by end-June, with nearly two-thirds of economists in a Reuters poll predicting the move, and a hike this month or in June seen as equally likely amid uncertainty over the fallout from the Iran war.
Asian stocks extended sharp gains on Thursday, with Japan’s Nikkei hitting a record high, as investors took cues from a record close on Wall Street and assessed China's stronger-than-expected economic growth figures.
US import prices increased less than expected in March, though the trend still pointed to firming imported inflationary pressures as the Middle East conflict boosts oil prices and snarls supply chains.