Oil prices rose, bonds fell and stocks were mixed at the start of trading in Asia on Monday as US President Donald Trump vowed “hell” if Tehran does not meet his deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, reports Reuters.

With liquidity thin as many countries around the region observed holidays on Monday, S&P 500 e-mini futures sank 0.2 per cent, while MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.5pc.

The Nikkei 225 rose 1.2pc, as South Korea’s Kospi advanced 2pc. Brent crude futures opened higher, rising 1.4pc to $110.58 a barrel after members of the OPEC+ agreed to raise its oil output quotas by 206,000 barrels per day for May.

However, the increase will exist only on paper for several major producing countries behind the Strait of Hormuz that have sustained damage to oil production facilities and transport infrastructure since the war started.

“This week will continue to be dominated by developments in the Middle East, though a heavy slate of data releases including the FOMC March minutes, February personal income, and March CPI will compete for attention,” said Yardeni Research president and chief investment strategist Ed Yardeni, referring to the Federal Open Market Committee which sets US monetary policy.

Opinion

Trouble at home

Trouble at home

The country’s strength lies in its political and economic stability, not in fleeting moments of diplomatic success.

Editorial

Pezeshkian’s visit
Updated 24 Jun, 2026

Pezeshkian’s visit

Perhaps a good place to start would be the resumption of work on the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline.
Telecom bill
24 Jun, 2026

Telecom bill

THERE is now no question about it: the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill of 2026 is a...
Updating Islamabad
24 Jun, 2026

Updating Islamabad

ISLAMABAD is growing rapidly. Its planning, however, remains stuck in bureaucratic limbo. Despite years of ...
Unsustainable growth
Updated 23 Jun, 2026

Unsustainable growth

CLICHÉS are an essential part of political rhetoric. But when repeated often, they lose their impact. So when...
Banned speeches
23 Jun, 2026

Banned speeches

NATIONAL Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Sunday formally lifted long-standing restrictions on the airing of ...
New GB government
23 Jun, 2026

New GB government

WITH the newly elected lawmakers of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly taking oath on Monday, the PPP looks set to head...