Finance The Week That Was

For the week ending June 19, 2026, global markets reacted to a US-Iran peace pact that reopened the Strait of Hormuz, successfully dropping energy prices. Despite cheaper oil, central banks maintained restrictive monetary policies. Concurrently, US markets rallied on a landmark Apple and Intel domestic chip manufacturing agreement.

Global financial markets experienced a major relief rally in mid-June 2026, fueled by a diplomatic de-escalation between the United States and Iran that sharply reduced oil prices. Furthermore, SpaceX’s record-breaking USD 75 billion IPO boosted investor sentiment, driving widespread equity gains despite lingering concerns over hawkish central bank policies.

During the week ending June 5, 2026, the global financial system experienced a profound structural shift. A robust United States employment report intensified persistent inflation fears, rapidly altering expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate policy. Consequently, surging sovereign yields triggered severe valuation corrections across major high-priced technology and semiconductor sectors.

The week ending 29 May 2026 saw global markets driven by artificial intelligence demand and tentative Middle East ceasefire negotiations. Consequently, United States and Japanese equities reached historic highs, propelled by technology gains. Conversely, India suffered a severe market crash triggered by weak monsoon rainfall forecasts.

During the week ending 22nd May 2026, global financial markets navigated a complex matrix of intense geopolitical friction and transformative technological shifts.1 As the US-Iran conflict neared its 90th day, maritime transit limitations in the Strait of Hormuz continued to maintain a structural risk premium on global crude prices, with Brent crude hovering around USD

The week concluding on 15 May 2026 will be remembered as a watershed moment for global markets. It was defined by a jarring collision between the optimism of the artificial intelligence revolution and a fragmenting geopolitical order, exacerbated by the ongoing maritime blockade in the Middle East.