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Oil Rises Again on Monday on Hormuz Escalations
WTI crude oil futures surged more than 5% to $88.8 per barrel on Monday, after an 11.5% plunge on Friday, as tensions between the US and Iran intensified over the weekend. US President Trump said he is unlikely to extend the current truce with Tehran if an agreement isn’t reached before it ends this week, adding that the Strait of Hormuz would remain blocked until a deal is finalized. The remarks followed escalating threats and the US seizure of an Iranian cargo vessel, dimming hopes that oil exports from the region could resume in the near term. Trump also noted that a US delegation was en route to Pakistan, while Iran has yet to confirm whether it will participate in further talks. The standoff risks exacerbating the global energy crunch, with the critical Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil and gas flows, remaining largely obstructed.
United States
S&P 500, Nasdaq Snap Winning Streaks on US-Iran Tensions
US stocks ended Monday on a softer note, as the S&P 500 slipped 0.2%, snapping a five-day winning streak. The Nasdaq fell 0.3%, bringing its 13-day rally to an end, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average hovered near flat at 49,442. Markets were weighed down by renewed geopolitical tensions following a setback in negotiations with Iran. US President Trump said it’s unlikely he would extend a truce with Tehran if an agreement isn’t reached before it ends this week, adding the Strait of Hormuz would remain blocked until an accord is finalized. The developments pushed oil prices higher. Sector performance was mixed, with communication services, utilities, and healthcare leading the declines, while materials, financials and energy posted gains. Among major stocks, Meta (-2.6%), Tesla (-2.0%), Alphabet (-1.2%), and Broadcom (-1.7%) recorded notable losses. Meanwhile, Apple (-1.0%) pared some declines, and JPMorgan (+2.2%) closed higher.
Argentina
Argentina Trade Surplus Widens in March
Argentina’s trade surplus rose to $2,523 million in March 2026, up from $623 million a year earlier, as exports climbed 30.1% year-on-year to $8,645 million. The increase was driven by a 56.2% surge in primary products, while manufactured and industrial goods rose 26.4% and fuels and energy gained 23.2%. Imports rose 1.7% to $6,122 million, led by a 105.9% jump in miscellaneous goods, which include postal deliveries, and a 61.7% rise in food and basic beverages. Intermediate goods purchases increased 10.2%, capital goods rose 6.6%, and durable goods climbed 4.5%.
Crypto Updates: Bitcoin Increases by 3.11%
Top crypto gainers are Bitcoin (3.11%), Ether (2.86%) and XRP (2.73%).
Agricultural Commodities Updates: Orange Juice Slumps by 5.11%
Top commodity losers are Orange Juice (-5.11%), Oat (-2.26%) and Rubber (-1.08%). Gains are led by Cocoa (2.65%), Canola (1.86%) and Coffee (1.27%).
Metals Commodities Updates: Platinum Drops by 2.48%
Top commodity losers are Platinum (-2.48%), Copper (-1.22%), Silver (-1.10%) and Gold (-0.42%). Gains are led by Lithium Carbonate (1.77%), Steel Rebar (1.32%) and Iron Ore CNY (1.03%).
Energy Commodities Updates: Crude Oil WTI Rallies by 7.06%
Top commodity gainers are Crude Oil WTI (7.06%), Brent Crude Oil (5.64%) and Heating Oil (4.32%). Biggest loser is Methanol (-1.61%).
Colombia
Colombia ISE Rises in February
Colombia's leading economic index s rose 1.65% year-on-year in February 2026, following a 1.76% gain in January. This marks the weakest pace since April 2025. The tertiary sector led growth at 2.55%, while the primary sector declined 2.08% and the secondary sector rose 0.40%. The primary sector declined 2.12% to, the secondary sector rose 0.19% to, and the tertiary sector gained 2.60%.
United States
US Stocks Extend Losses
US stocks extended their losses on Monday, pausing the surge from last week that slingshot indices to record highs as doubts of peace prospects in the Middle East threatened its energy supply. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 dropped around 0.5% each, while the Dow fell around 0.3%. President Trump signaled that the current ceasefire with Iran will not be extended past Wednesday, likely maintaining the US and Iran blockades of commercial vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz and preventing energy flows form the region. Heavyweight tech companies led the decline. Broadcom and Meta fell over 2%, while Microsoft, Nvidia, and Alphabet dropped more than 1%. Notably, Tesla reversed its early gains to trade 2% lower ahead of its earnings event this week, the first among Magnificent 7 companies. Similarly, Intel dropped over 1% ahead of its call, as investors prioritize risk management over speculative growth.
United States
Cisco Systems Stock Price Hits All-time High
Cisco Systems shares increased to an all-time high of 88.23 USD. Over the past 4 weeks, Cisco Systems gained 11.68%, and in the last 12 months, it increased 61.91%.
Germany
DAX Closes in the Red
Frankfurt's DAX 40 finished about 1.2% lower at 24,444 on Monday, after an escalation in US–Iran tensions over the weekend led to a renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz and pushed oil prices higher. Hostilities flared following the US seizure of an Iranian vessel, with Tehran threatening retaliation, as the truce between Washington and Tehran approaches its expiration. Attention remains on the possibility of a second round of talks in Islamabad this week after Tehran indicated it may not take part. Industrials, tech and autos were among the hardest hit. In equities, Lufthansa dropped 3.2% and TUI fell 3.1%, respectively, on the back of higher oil prices and concerns over jet fuel reserves. Other top losers included MTU Aero Engines (-4.3%), SAP (-3.5%), Volkswagen (-2.7%), Siemens Healthineers (-2.3%) and Deutsche Bank (-2.3%). On the upside, RWE (2.5%), Commerzbank (1.2%) and Deutsche Borse (1.1%) advanced the most.
United Kingdom
FTSE 100 Falls on Monday
The FTSE 100 fell more than 0.5% on Monday as renewed tensions between the US and Iran weighed on sentiment, with oil and gas prices jumping around 6%. President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz will remain blocked until a deal is reached, adding he would not rush negotiations. Rolls Royce dropped over 3.5% and mining stocks were under pressure as Antofagasta lost more than 4.5% while Fresnillo and Endeavour fell about 3% and 1.2%. Travel stocks also weakened, with EasyJet down over 3% and IAG falling 2.1%, while major banks including HSBC, Lloyds, Barclays and NatWest declined between 1.4% and 2.5%. In contrast, energy and utility names gained, with BP and Shell rising 2.6% and 2.2% and Centrica and SSE also advancing. Investors now look ahead to updates from Rio Tinto, AB Foods and British Land.
US Natgas Prices Edge Up Slightly
US natural gas futures climbed to $2.70 per MMBtu, supported by a drop in output over the past couple of weeks and near-record gas flows to US LNG export plants, but were still close to their lowest level since October 2024. Average daily output dropped by approximately 3.9 bcfd over the last fortnight to a 10-week low of 108.3 bcfd. Simultaneously, gas deliveries to major US LNG terminals rose to 18.9 bcfd so far in April, positioning the month for a potential record high. However, the upside remains capped by a persistent storage surplus. Unseasonably mild spring weather has facilitated aggressive inventory injections, pushing stockpiles to an estimated 7% above the five-year average during the week ended April 17. Looking ahead, meteorologists forecast near-normal temperatures through early May, and analysts expect storage levels to stay elevated.
Baltic Dry Index Extends Rally Into 12th Day
The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk freight index, which monitors rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, advanced for a 12th consecutive session on Monday, rising 2.6% to its highest since early December 2025 at 2,633 points. The capesize index, which typically transports 150,000-ton cargoes including iron ore and coal, also recorded the 12th successive gain, climbing about 4.2% to an over four-month high of 4,300 points. At the same time, the supramax index increased 0.5% to 1,422 points; and the panamax index, which usually carries 60,000 to 70,000 tons of coal or grain, edged up 0.1% to 1,976 points.
FX Updates: Norwegian Krone Rises by 0.43%
Top currency gainers are Norwegian Krone (0.43%), Swiss Franc (0.41%), Dollar Index (0.07%) and Euro (0.06%). Biggest losers are Indian Rupee (-0.34%) and South Korean Won (-0.30%). Meanwhile, Japanese Yen and British Pound were little changed.
Oil Rises on Hormuz Escalations
WTI crude oil futures jumped more than 5% to $88.8 per barrel on Monday after plunging 11.5% on Friday, as tensions between the US and Iran escalated following attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The US Navy seized an Iranian ship over the weekend after Tehran fired on vessels and reinstated controls over the key waterway, closing it again after accusing Washington of violating a ceasefire set to expire this week. The US also fired on another Iranian linked vessel in the Gulf of Oman, while Iran targeted ships in the strait, leaving traffic near a standstill. President Donald Trump warned of further escalation if no deal is reached, though talks remain uncertain as Iran has signaled it may not attend negotiations in Pakistan. The standoff threatens to deepen the global energy crisis, with the vital route for oil and gas flows largely blocked.
Brazil
Brazilian Real Holds Near 5 per USD
The Brazilian real is trading around 4.98 per dollar, retreating to levels seen in mid-April. This upward pressure on the USD/BRL pair is driven by a global strengthening of the greenback (DXY at 98.16) following Israel's attack on Iran, which has triggered widespread risk aversion. Simultaneously, crude oil prices have surged 4.6% to $87.75 due to potential supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Although Brazil is a net oil exporter, the "flight to quality" sentiment currently prevails; the dollar's strength and geopolitical uncertainty are neutralizing the benefits of higher commodity prices. Consequently, the Brazilian currency remains volatile as it tests key technical resistance levels.
Canada
TSX Flat Amid US-Iran Tensions and Rising Inflation
The S&P/TSX Composite Index finished nearly flat around the 34,360 mark on Monday, as fears of a unraveling US Iran ceasefire and elevated inflation kept markets cautious. The US seized an Iranian vessel, prompting Tehran to retaliate and reimpose its blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran ruling out further talks before the ceasefire expires April 21. Oil prices surged on renewed shipping disruptions, reigniting stagflation concerns and pressuring banks’ outlook due to higher rates and weak credit demand. Higher credit costs were also owed to the surge in the domestic inflation rate, which rose to 2.4% in March as the Middle East conflict lifted transportation costs. Still, major banks such as TD and BMO held steady. Gold miners fell as US Treasury yields rose, Agnico Eagle lost over 1.9%, and Barrick was down 1.1%. Energy producers rebounded with global oil prices: Canadian Natural and Suncor 0.3% and 0.5% respectively and Cenovus added nearly 1.4%.
United States
10-Year Treasury Yield Little Changed at One-Month Lows
The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note was little changed at around 4.25% on Monday, easing from modest gains in the Asian session and hovering near one-month lows, as investors assessed a renewed setback in peace negotiations. On Sunday, the US said it had seized an Iranian cargo ship that attempted to breach its naval blockade, while Iran vowed to retaliate, heightening fears of a renewed escalation in hostilities. Uncertainty also remains over whether US and Iranian officials will meet ahead of the expiry of a 14-day ceasefire on Tuesday, with Tehran indicating it will not participate in a second round of talks. Meanwhile, oil prices edged higher and persistent inflation concerns continued to anchor borrowing costs at elevated levels. Investors are also looking ahead to Tuesday’s Senate confirmation hearing for Kevin Warsh as the next Fed Chair. He is widely seen as more dovish than current Chair Jerome Powell, whose term is set to expire in May.
Brazil
Ibovespa Rises on Energy and Utility Gains
The Ibovespa edged up to trade above 196,000 on Monday, boosted by gains in energy and utilities. The energy sector was lifted by a sharp rebound in oil prices, triggered by renewed tensions after the US seized an Iranian cargo ship and Iran reasserted control over the Strait of Hormuz. In utilities, Axia gained more than 1.5% and Sabesp rose over 2%. In contrast, major banks declined as the oil surge reignited stagflation fears, pressuring the outlook for banks due to elevated rates and low credit demand. Bradesco lost near 1% and Itaú shed 0.4%. Vale also fell over 1% as freight costs rose on higher energy prices.
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