Crude oil retreated from a five-month peak on Oct. 19 as traders balanced escalating Middle East hostilities against evidence that regional output is holding near pre-war levels.
US equity-index futures staged a rebound following last week's sharp decline in semiconductor stocks, while crude oil prices eased ahead of a critical earnings window that could reshape sentiment around the AI-driven trade.
Gold futures ticked higher at the start of the trading week after Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh delivered remarks that led market participants to dial back their expectations for a near-term interest rate increase.
World gold closed the week at $4,166/ounce after briefly testing the $4,200 mark, while Vietnamese domestic premiums widened to 12.6 million VND per tael amid sustained central-bank accumulation.
WTI crude and RBOB gasoline posted sharp gains on Friday, with crude reaching a one-month high amid a softer dollar and growing concerns over escalating geopolitical hostilities.
Brent crude prices surged to a five-month high of $110 after Saudi Arabia-led forces intercepted and destroyed missiles targeting critical energy hubs in the region.
The dollar index dropped to a two-week low on Friday after Fed Chair Jerome Powell declined to offer policy or economic guidance during his address at the annual IMF meeting in Bangkok.
ASIC has opened a public consultation on detailed operational standards for digital asset platforms, laying out three capital models, offshore custody options, and new restrictions on proprietary trading that will reshape how brokers and exchange operators serve Australian clients.
Australia's securities regulator has opened a public consultation on binding standards for cryptocurrency exchanges and custodians, setting the stage for a licensing regime that takes effect in April 2027 and will reshape how local platforms serve retail investors.
Interactive Brokers reported a record pretax profit with a 78% margin in Q3 2026, outlined a $0.60 annual dividend, and signalled continued expansion of its autonomous AI trading capabilities.
Sydney-based broker TMGM has become the official financial online trading sponsor of BIGBANG's 20th-anniversary world tour, marking a notable step into live-entertainment marketing. The Sydney stop at Accor Stadium is set for 31 October 2026.