US Market Open: Iran calls US demands "excessive"; Brent tops USD 109/bbl while US equities rebounds

US President Trump to deliver a nationwide address on Wednesday to give an important update on Iran at 21:00EDT/02:00BST, according to the White House.US President Trump told NBC News on Iran war "it is coming to an end". Iranian Deputy Speaker of Parliament said the "Strait of Hormuz will never be opened, there has been no negotiation and there will be no negotiation", Fars reported.Global equities rebound on positive US-Iran commentary, Banks benefit the most while NKE hit after weak China guidance.Crude softer but off lows; metals mostly firmer.DXY slips on a "de-escalation" trade, ADP Employment ahead.Fixed income benefitting from lower energy prices as hawkish pricing pares back slightly.Looking ahead, highlights include US ADP Employment Change (Mar), Retail Sales (Feb), S&P Manufacturing PMI Final (Mar), ISM Manufacturing PMI (Mar), Atlanta Fed GDP, BoC Minutes (Mar), Speakers including ECB's Cipollone, Fed's Musalem, Barr and President Trump.Read the full report covering Equities, Forex, Fixed Income, Commodites and more on Newsquawk

US President Trump is to deliver a nationwide address on Wednesday to give an important update on Iran at 21:00EDT/02:00BST, according to the White House.US President Trump said to NBC News regarding the Iran war that "it is coming to an end".White House official said President Trump is confident that an agreement will be reached soon, and said Trump was clear about the consequences of failing to reach an agreement.UAE is preparing to help the US and allies open the Strait of Hormuz by force, according to WSJ.APAC stocks mostly rallied with global risk sentiment buoyed; European equity futures indicate a higher cash market open with Euro Stoxx 50 futures up 2.0%.Looking ahead, highlights include Global Manufacturing PMI Finals (Mar), EZ Unemployment Rate (Feb), US ADP Employment Change (Mar), Retail Sales (Feb), ISM Manufacturing PMI (Mar), Atlanta Fed GDP, BoC Minutes (Mar), CBR Minutes (Mar), Speakers including ECB's Cipollone, Fed's Musalem & Barr, Supply from Germany.Read the full report covering Equities, Forex, Fixed Income, Commodites and more on Newsquawk

US President Trump reportedly told aides he's willing to end the war without reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to the WSJ.IRGC's public relations channel reported the announcement that the Strait of Hormuz is fully under the control of IRGC soldiers, and "the slightest movement of the enemies will be hit by missiles and drones", adding that "the operation continues."Crude rangebound, while Oman's crude OSP for May nearly doubles from April.  European equities continues to rebound, ULVR LN gains ahead of possible MKC announcement; US equity futures gain.DXY lacks direction, GBP outperforms slightly while EUR moves a touch lower following cooler-than-expected EZ HICP.Fixed income lifts as energy prices moderate, Bund lifts as EZ HICP underscores ECB's wait-and-see approach.Looking ahead, highlights include Canadian GDP Prelim. (Feb), US JOLTS (Feb), Australian Manufacturing PMI Final (Mar). Speakers include Fed's Goolsbee, Schmid, Barr & Bowman. Earnings from Nike.Read the full report covering Equities, Forex, Fixed Income, Commodites and more on Newsquawk

US President Trump reportedly told aides he's willing to end the war without reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to the WSJ.US Secretary of State Rubio presented a plan at last week's G7 foreign ministers' meeting for the Strait of Hormuz to be run by a multinational coalition, while he stressed there would be “no fees, and free circulation” through the shipping route.The Iranian Foreign Ministry said they have not conducted any negotiations with the US during the 31 days of the war.The EU will expand its naval operations in the Red Sea and western Indian Ocean, but will for now refrain from taking part in any potential missions to secure oil and gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.APAC stocks were mixed; European equity futures indicate a flat cash market open with Euro Stoxx 50 futures up 0.1%.Looking ahead, highlights include German Retail Sales (Feb), Import Prices (Feb), Unemployment Rate (Mar), UK GDP Final (Q4), French/Italian/EZ Inflation Prelim. (Mar), Canadian GDP Prelim. (Feb), US JOLTS (Feb), Australian Manufacturing PMI Final (Mar). Speakers include Fed's Goolsbee, Barr & Bowman. Supply from Germany. Earnings from Nike.Read the full report covering Equities, Forex, Fixed Income, Commodites and more on Newsquawk

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Iran has not had any direct negotiations with the US and that the US demands were excessive. The spokesperson added that Iran did not participate in the Pakistan meeting.Yemen’s Houthis fired missiles at Israel on Saturday morning, marking the first time it has been involved in the war; Israeli PM Netanyahu ordered the military to expand its invasion of southern Lebanon.US President Trump said the US could take oil in Iran and could take Kharg Island 'very easily', according to FT. Crude prices trade above USD 100/bbl amid geopolitical weekend escalation.Global equities rebound despite a lack of US-Iran de-escalation, miners benefit from surging aluminium prices.DXY choppy, USD/JPY rose above 160.00 before slipping on hawkish BoJ SOO and jawboning.Fixed income firmer despite energy being in the green, though off best.Looking ahead, highlights include German Inflation Prelim. (Mar), US Dallas Fed Manufacturing Index (Mar), Comments from Fed's Powell, Williams and President Trump.Read the full report covering Equities, Forex, Fixed Income, Commodites and more on Newsquawk

Yemen’s Houthis fired missiles at Israel on Saturday morning, marking the first time it has been involved in the war; Israeli PM Netanyahu ordered the military to expand its invasion of southern Lebanon.US President Trump said the US could take oil in Iran and could take Kharg Island 'very easily', according to the FT. Trump also stated that indirect talks with emissaries are progressing well and a deal could be made fairly quickly.US President Trump said there were good negotiations with Iran on Sunday, and the US destroyed many targets that day, while they are negotiating directly and indirectly with Iran.Trump responded that Iran came back to them on the 15-point plan and gave them most points, but didn't give any further details. Trump also claimed that Middle East countries are fighting back against Iran.APAC stocks were pressured following the geopolitical escalation over the weekend; Euro Stoxx 50 futures are down 0.6% after the cash market closed with losses of 1.1% on Friday.Looking ahead, highlights include Spanish Retail Sales (Feb), EU Consumer Inflation Expectations (Mar), German Inflation Prelim. (Mar), US Dallas Fed Manufacturing Index (Mar), Comments from Fed's Williams.UK clocks switched from GMT to BST on Sunday, and the NY-London differential returned to its usual 5 hours.Read the full report covering Equities, Forex, Fixed Income, Commodites and more on Newsquawk

Iran's IRGC Navy announced that the Strait of Hormuz is closed, and any traffic in this strait will be severely dealt with; traffic of any ship "to and from" the ports of origin of the allies of the enemies is prohibited from any corridor. Three container ships started to move but were turned back with a warning.China's MOFCOM said it has launched a probe regarding US trade measures and green products; China to investigate US trade practices starting March 27th; probe to conclude within six months but can be extended.Crude holds an upward bias as Iran targets US bases, with weekend risk elevated despite Trump’s comments.Global equities under pressure, initially driven by China's US probe and then further energy upside.DXY firmer amidst geopolitical flare ups, JPY reacts to jawboning.Fixed income continued to be driven by energy; Spanish CPI jumped but failed to move benchmarks.Looking ahead, highlights include University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Final (Mar). Speakers include Fed's Barkin, Daly & Paulson, ECB's Schnabel. Credit Ratings include Fitch Ratings on Switzerland, Moody's on Italy & Spain, Scope Ratings on the EU.Read the full report covering Equities, Forex, Fixed Income, Commodites and more on Newsquawk

US President Trump announced a 10-day pause in planned strikes on energy plants to Monday, 6th April 2026 at 8 PM, at the request of the Iranian government, while he added that talks with Iran are going very well.Iran wants the US to dial back demands in the 15-point peace plan before starting any talks, according to WSJ, citing sources, while Iran is open to the possibility of talks but deems the US proposals excessive.Iranian officials were said to be interested in talks despite the announcement of their rejection of the US proposal, while mediators are pressuring Tehran to agree to a meeting with Washington in the coming days, according to Axios.The US is considering sending up to 10,000 additional ground troops to the Middle East, according to WSJ.APAC stocks were cautious but off worst levels; European equity futures indicate a positive cash market open with Euro Stoxx 50 futures up 0.5%.Looking ahead, highlights include UK Retail Sales (Feb), Spanish CPI Prelim. (Mar), University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Final (Mar), ECB Consumer Inflation Expectations. Speakers include Fed's Barkin, Daly & Paulson, ECB's Schnabel. Supply from Italy. Credit Ratings include Fitch Ratings on Switzerland, Moody's on Italy & Spain, Scope Ratings on the EU.Read the full report covering Equities, Forex, Fixed Income, Commodites and more on Newsquawk

Axios reported that the US Pentagon is preparing for massive "final blow" of Iran war that could include the use of ground forces and a massive bombing campaign.Global equities under pressure as the Iran war persists, Tech falters following Google update.DXY is essentially flat, G10s incrementally lower. Fixed income action is dictated by energy movements as numerous BoE and Fed officials await.Crude futures on a firmer footing as geopolitical tensions show no tangible signs of abating.Looking ahead, highlights include US Initial Jobless Claims (Mar/21). Speakers include BoE's Taylor & Greene, Fed's Cook, Miran, Jefferson & Barr, BoC's Rogers. Supply from the US.Read the full report covering Equities, Forex, Fixed Income, Commodites and more on Newsquawk

US President Trump told aides he wants a speedy end to the Iran war and wants to wrap up the conflict in the coming weeks, while he informed advisers that he thinks the conflict is in the final stages.Israeli media reported that US President Trump may announce a ceasefire with Iran by next Saturday, even without reaching a final agreement, while a separate report noted the working assumption in Israel is that Trump may announce a ceasefire by this coming Saturday, according to N12 News.Yemen's Houthis are ready to enter the field and take control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, according to a Tasnim Telegram citing sources.White House confirmed that US President Trump is to hold a Cabinet meeting from 10:00EDT/14:00GMT today.APAC stocks traded cautiously; European equity futures indicate a lower cash market open with Euro Stoxx 50 futures down 0.8%.Looking ahead, highlights include German GfK (Apr), Spanish GDP Final (Q4), US Initial Jobless Claims (Mar/21), and Norges Bank Policy Announcement. Speakers include ECB's de Guindos, BoE's Breeden, Taylor & Greene, Fed's Cook, Miran, Jefferson & Barr, BoC's Rogers. Supply from the US.Read the full report covering Equities, Forex, Fixed Income, Commodites and more on Newsquawk