Global Market Alert: Asia Shares Mixed as US-Iran Tensions Push Oil Higher 📈

• Market Sentiment: Asian equities showed mixed performance on Friday amid a shaky Middle East ceasefire and stalled U.S.-Iran peace talks. While the MSCI Asia-Pacific index rose 0.3% (up 0.8% for the week), markets in China, Hong Kong, and South Korea recorded losses. • Energy & Commodities: Oil prices rose due to a stand-off in the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude jumped over 1% to US$ 106.21 per barrel, while U.S. crude gained 1% to US$ 96.77. These rising energy costs pose a risk of "demand destruction" for global economies. • Currency & Inflation: The Japanese Yen hovered near the critical 160 per dollar mark, prompting intervention warnings. Major central banks (Fed, ECB, BoE) meet next week to assess the war's impact on inflation, which could influence future interest rate decisions affecting export-driven markets. • Sri Lankan Context: As an oil-importing nation, the rise in Brent crude toward US$ 106 and global shipping tensions in the Strait of Hormuz may pressure domestic fuel prices and impact the cost of logistics for key sectors like apparel & textiles and tea exports.