Oil Prices Dip as Tensions Between US and Iran Ease
Oil prices declined slightly on Thursday after recent gains, with Brent crude trading near $95 a barrel. The decline follows renewed fighting between the US and Iran, which had previously pushed oil prices sharply higher.
US President Donald Trump stated that he does not expect the bombing campaign to last 'much longer,' suggesting a potential de-escalation in tensions.
In the Asian markets, shares advanced across the board, tracking gains on Wall Street. The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo rose 0.2%, while South Korea's Kospi climbed 1.4%. The Shanghai Composite index also gained 0.4%.
Investors welcomed encouraging signals about demand for artificial intelligence from tech companies Dell and Palo Alto Networks, which has been a key driver behind the S&P 500's gains this year. Dell Technologies surged 15.8% following strong quarterly profits.