11:13 - 3.08.2026
August 3, Fineko/abc.az. US President Donald Trump's statement about postponement of military strikes against Iran and the beginning of negotiations to resume shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has caused a strong wave of optimism in global financial markets.
The news about resumption of diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran has reduced geopolitical tensions, triggering a drop in oil prices and an increase in stock indices.
Key changes and dynamics on international platforms:
Energy Market: Against the backdrop of geopolitical de-escalation, the price of October Brent crude futures fell by 7.3% to $81.55 per barrel.
Gold and Currencies: Spot gold prices grew by 0.4% to $4,060 per troy ounce. In the foreign exchange market, the Japanese yen strengthened significantly against the US dollar amid expectations of interventions by the Japanese financial authorities.
Bonds and the stock market: The yield on 10-year U.S. government bonds fell by 4 basis points to 4.70%. S&P 500 index closed up 0.7%, while the index of the largest technology giants (the Big Seven) jumped 3.2%.
Despite the positive performance of futures in the U.S. and Europe, Asian markets remain under pressure due to the decline in semiconductor stocks. Analysts point out that investors are closely monitoring whether the negotiations will lead to the actual opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and they are also waiting for key US labor market data (JOLTS, ADP, and NFP reports) to be released, which will determine Fed's next steps regarding interest rates.
