- Oil prices surged over 2 per cent on Monday, with Brent crude reaching $93.33 a barrel, amid ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran regarding a potential ceasefire extension and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
- Stock markets in Japan and South Korea hit fresh record highs, driven by strong enthusiasm for artificial intelligence and robust performance from technology-related companies.
- Japan's Nikkei 225 index gained over 1.3 per cent, crossing the 67,000 mark for the first time, while South Korea's Kospi index jumped nearly 5 per cent to an all-time high.
- South Korea's exports saw a significant 53 per cent year-on-year increase in May, largely buoyed by global demand for semiconductors, further contributing to market optimism.
- Wall Street stocks also reached new records on Friday, powered by major technology companies, with the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq composite all posting gains.
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