Mixed Sentiment As Middle East War Enters Second Month

Global markets sent a mixed signal as the conflict in the Middle East moved into its second month. Fears of escalation weighed on risk appetite, even as investors looked to ongoing diplomatic efforts for signs of de-escalation. U.S. equity futures edged above the flatline and major European benchmarks traded higher, while Asia closed mostly lower. The dollar firmed, sovereign yields eased on growth concerns, oil extended gains, and haven assets such as gold and silver advanced. Cryptocurrencies also pushed higher.

At a glance

• U.S. futures and European equities: modestly higher on hopes for progress in peace efforts.
• Asia: mixed to weaker close, with notable declines in Japan and South Korea.
• Dollar: stronger; government bond yields slipped as investors assessed growth and geopolitical risks.
• Commodities: crude up roughly 2% overnight; gold and silver gained.
• Digital assets: broad-based rally across major cryptocurrencies.

Equities

• DJIA (US30): 45,528.30, up 0.80%
• S&P 500 (US500): 6,421.90, up 0.83%
• Germany DAX: 22,394.18, up 0.35%
• U.K. FTSE 100: 10,067.95, up 1.01%
• France CAC 40: 7,735.42, up 0.43%
• Euro Stoxx 50: 5,529.90, up 0.44%
• Japan Nikkei 225: 51,885.85, down 2.79%
• Australia S&P/ASX 200: 8,461.00, down 0.65%
• China Shanghai Composite: 3,923.29, up 0.24%
• Hong Kong Hang Seng: 24,750.79, down 0.81%
• South Korea KOSPI: 5,277.30, down 2.97%

Currencies

• EUR/USD: 1.1482, down 0.24%
• GBP/USD: 1.3232, down 0.21%
• USD/JPY: 159.47, down 0.53%
• AUD/USD: 0.6865, down 0.12%
• USD/CAD: 1.3922, up 0.19%
• U.S. Dollar Index: 100.30, up 0.15%

Ten-year government bond yields

• U.S.: 4.369%, down 1.62%
• Germany: 3.0587%, down 1.27%
• France: 3.783%, down 1.51%
• U.K.: 4.9370%, down 0.70%
• Japan: 2.360%, down 0.80%

Commodities

• Brent Crude (Jun): $107.56, up 2.13%
• WTI Crude (May): $101.23, up 1.60%
• Gold (Jun): $4,591.50, up 1.49%
• Silver (May): $71.36, up 2.24%

Cryptocurrencies

• Bitcoin: $67,847.33, up 1.66%
• Ethereum: $2,072.30, up 3.56%
• BNB: $618.46, up 0.97%
• XRP: $1.35, up 1.17%
• Solana: $84.24, up 2.23%

Overall, markets are balancing hopes that diplomacy can curb further escalation with ongoing caution about the conflict’s potential to disrupt growth, energy supplies, and risk sentiment. The firmer dollar alongside lower long-end yields suggests a defensive tilt beneath the surface, even as risk assets show pockets of strength.