London’s FTSE 100 edged lower as losses in energy majors and AstraZeneca weighed on the index amid thin holiday trading. Weak crude prices dragged Shell and BP, while NatWest slipped despite profit growth. Gains in Unilever, Rolls-Royce and Pearson offered some support, but overall sentiment remained subdued after mixed earnings.Read More

Oil prices dipped amid reports of renewed Iran-US negotiation efforts, but remained on track for strong weekly gains due to persistent supply disruptions. Ongoing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and geopolitical uncertainty kept markets volatile, with traders reacting sharply to headlines despite a fragile ceasefire and continued export restrictions.Read More

Indian equities staged a strong rebound in April after months of decline. Benchmark and broader indices posted their best gains in years, led by midcaps and smallcaps, while sectoral indices like defence and realty outperformed. Banks and IT saw moderate recovery.Read More

Gold edged higher after recovering from sharp early losses, supported by hopes of easing Iran tensions and a softer dollar. However, the metal remained on track for a weekly decline amid a hawkish Federal Reserve stance. Inflation risks and elevated yields continued to cap gains, while silver outperformed on strong demand outlook.Read More

The dollar logged its sharpest weekly drop against the yen since February amid suspected Japanese intervention. Authorities signalled discomfort with currency volatility, keeping markets cautious. However, sustained yen strength remains uncertain due to policy divergence with the Federal Reserve, while traders watch for further intervention during Japan’s Golden Week holiday period.Read More

Indian markets are watching US stocks next week. Investors will focus on company earnings and job data. This comes as oil prices rise and the US Federal Reserve signals a tougher stance. Despite global tensions, US stocks have seen a strong rally. Upcoming reports will guide market direction.Read More