Headlines:

Markets:

• WTI crude down 2.8% to $71.11
• European equities mixed
• S&P 500 futures up 0.3%, Nasdaq futures up 0.6%
• USD leads, NZD lags on the day
• US 10-year yields down 3.5 bps to 4.46%
• Gold down 1.6% to $4,040
• Bitcoin up 0.6% to $62,788

It was a steady session for the most part, with little notable headlines to really shake things up.

The US and Iran are keeping the status quo, pending further technical talks next week. In the meantime, eyes will be on the Strait of Hormuz and how vessel traffic will pick up in the days ahead. The early indications are encouraging but is still very much limited for now.

That is keeping oil prices subdued though, with WTI crude down nearly 3% to $71.11 as it moves closer to making the round trip back down.

Besides that, European stocks are more mixed today while US futures are steadier with investors eyeing Micron earnings after the close. That will be the key signal for equities and tech shares especially as we look to the second half of the week.

In other markets, the dollar continues to move from strength to strength as it pushes another advance today. EUR/USD is down 0.4% to 1.1340 and USD/JPY continues to flirt with the 2024 highs at 161.70 on the day. Meanwhile, AUD/USD is down 0.2% to 0.6898 after the sharp break below 0.7000 yesterday.

As for precious metals, gold and silver are not finding much comfort from the risk selloff this week. The former is down 1.6% to $4,040 with the latter down over 4% to $59.30 on the day.