News
Oil prices gain as traders doubt prospects of ceasefire in Iran war
Oil prices rose on Friday and notched weekly gains, reflecting scepticism about prospects for a ceasefire in the month-old Iran war.
Brent crude futures rose by $4.56, or 4.2%, to $112.57 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures rose $5.16, or 5.5%, to settle at $99.64.
The Brent benchmark has jumped 53% since February 27, the day before the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran, while WTI has gained 45% since then. On a weekly basis, Brent gained about 0.3%, while WTI gained over 1%.
Dollar ticks up amid safe haven demand as Iran rejects U.S. ceasefire proposal
The U.S. dollar ticked higher on Wednesday, reversing course from earlier losses, as Middle East de-escalation hopes were tempered slightly after Iran rejected a proposed U.S. ceasefire.
At 17:45 ET (21:45 GMT), the US Dollar Index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six currency peers, added 0.2% to 99.62.
Gold dip looks like a buy as central banks step in, Barclays tells investors
Gold has surrendered all of its 2026 gains since the U.S.-Iran conflict began, but Barclays says the pullback has created an appealing entry point and that the metal’s structural supports remain firmly in place.
"Gold has had a very strong 3y run. But it has given back all of its 2026 gains since the war started," driven in part by shifting rate expectations and some central bank selling to defend currencies, analyst Ajay Rajadhyaksha said in a note
"This makes for, we think, a reasonable entry point," he added.
Bitcoin ticks up above $71k as de-escalation hopes lift risk assets
Bitcoin ticked up slightly on Wednesday, holding above the $71,000 level as risk assets caught a bid on Middle East de-escalation hopes despite Iran rejecting a proposed U.S. ceasefire.
The world’s largest cryptocurrency last traded 1.1% higher at $71,129.8 by 18:03 ET (22:03 GMT).
Bitcoin fell below $70,000 earlier in the week, when escalating conflict triggered a broad risk-off move and weighed on digital assets.

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