- Wall Street is trading in a cautious mood, with major U.S. indices hovering around Friday’s closing levels. The market is clearly lacking a catalyst strong enough to set a clear direction.
- Investors are firmly focused on Wednesday, when earnings results from four members of the Magnificent Seven will be released: Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple. In addition, the Federal Reserve will announce its interest rate decision the same day. Markets widely expect rates to remain unchanged, but the real focus will be on Jerome Powell’s comments and any guidance regarding the future path of monetary policy.
- It is also worth noting that last week the Department of Justice withdrew earlier actions related to the current Fed Chair, easing speculation about potential leadership changes and reducing expectations around a possible nomination of Kevin Warsh.
- On the geopolitical front, Iran has proposed easing tensions in the region by reducing pressure around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes. According to regional sources, the proposal—delivered via Pakistan—includes lifting the U.S. blockade and a partial de-escalation of military activity.
- A key element of the plan is postponing discussions on Iran’s nuclear program to a later stage of negotiations, effectively separating short-term de-escalation efforts from the longer-term strategic dispute.
- At the same time, Tehran is holding parallel consultations with Russia as part of broader coordination regarding the regional conflict. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also met with Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, stating that the United States has failed to achieve its military objectives, which in his view increases the likelihood of renewed negotiations.
- However, Donald Trump has rejected the proposal in its current form, insisting on a comprehensive agreement covering both the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program, while maintaining pressure on Tehran, though he has also signaled a willingness for direct talks.
- Following the breakdown of diplomatic negotiations, Brent crude surged to its highest level since April 13, briefly moving above $100 per barrel, reflecting a rising geopolitical risk premium tied to escalating tensions in the Middle East.
- European markets also ended the session in negative territory, with most major indices closing lower. The UK’s FTSE 100 fell by more than 0.5%, France’s CAC 40 by around 0.2%, Germany’s DAX by over 0.1%, while Spain’s IBEX 35 finished broadly unchanged.
- Pressure was also visible in precious metals, where gold declined around 0.9% to approximately $4,700 per ounce, while silver dropped more than 1.5%, testing the $75 level.
- A similar tone prevailed in the cryptocurrency market, where major digital assets came under pressure. Bitcoin fell around 1.5% below $77,000, while Ethereum dropped nearly 2.5%, slipping under $2,300.
Crypto News ⚡ Bitcoin under Pressure: Will it drop again?
Wall Street loses momentum? 🚩 Highlights from the S&P 500 earnings season
US Open: Week of Three Forces. Iran AI and Fed Put Markets to the Test!
⚫Brent Oil Hits Highest Since April 13
The content of this report has been created by XTB S.A., with its registered office in Warsaw, at Prosta 67, 00-838 Warsaw, Poland, (KRS number 0000217580) and supervised by Polish Supervision Authority ( No. DDM-M-4021-57-1/2005). This material is a marketing communication within the meaning of Art. 24 (3) of Directive 2014/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on markets in financial instruments and amending Directive 2002/92/EC and Directive 2011/61/EU (MiFID II). Marketing communication is not an investment recommendation or information recommending or suggesting an investment strategy within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on market abuse (market abuse regulation) and repealing Directive 2003/6/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Directives 2003/124/EC, 2003/125/EC and 2004/72/EC and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/958 of 9 March 2016 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to regulatory technical standards for the technical arrangements for objective presentation of investment recommendations or other information recommending or suggesting an investment strategy and for disclosure of particular interests or indications of conflicts of interest or any other advice, including in the area of investment advisory, within the meaning of the Trading in Financial Instruments Act of 29 July 2005 (i.e. Journal of Laws 2019, item 875, as amended). The marketing communication is prepared with the highest diligence, objectivity, presents the facts known to the author on the date of preparation and is devoid of any evaluation elements. The marketing communication is prepared without considering the client’s needs, his individual financial situation and does not present any investment strategy in any way. The marketing communication does not constitute an offer of sale, offering, subscription, invitation to purchase, advertisement or promotion of any financial instruments. XTB S.A. is not liable for any client’s actions or omissions, in particular for the acquisition or disposal of financial instruments, undertaken on the basis of the information contained in this marketing communication. In the event that the marketing communication contains any information about any results regarding the financial instruments indicated therein, these do not constitute any guarantee or forecast regarding the future results.