S&P 500 — US Large Cap Index
FTSE 100 — UK Blue Chips
Euro Stoxx 50 — Eurozone Leaders
DAX 40 — German Equities
CAC 40 — French Market Index
Nikkei 225 — Japan Benchmark
Hang Seng — Hong Kong Index
Shanghai Composite — China Mainland
ASX 200 — Australian Market
TSX Composite — Canada Index
Nifty 50 — India Large Cap
STI Index — Singapore Market
KOSPI — South Korea Index
Bovespa — Brazil Equities
JSE Top 40 — South Africa Index
IPC Index — Mexico Market
Platinum futures traded below $1,620 an ounce, pressured near their lowest levels since late November, as escalating tensions in the Middle East kept inflation concerns in focus. The US launched multiple strikes against Iran this week and reinstated a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran retaliated with attacks on US bases in neighboring countries. The renewed conflict sent oil prices sharply higher, reinforcing expectations that persistent energy supply disruptions could stoke inflation. Meanwhile, softer-than-expected US consumer and producer inflation data prompted markets to scale back the likelihood of a near-term Federal Reserve rate hike, supporting demand for non-yielding assets. The platinum market also draws support from a tight supply outlook as the World Platinum Investment Council continues to forecast a fourth consecutive market deficit in 2026, with demand expected to outpace supply and above-ground inventories projected to remain near historically low levels.
