Asian stocks turned in a mixed performance on Friday as U.S.-Iran tensions persisted over the control of the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude prices remained elevated above $105 a barrel, fueling worries about inflation, interest rates and economic growth. Chipmaker Intel's strong earnings results...
May 01, 2026 15:54 ET Central banks dominated the economics news flow this week with almost all major ones announcing their latest policy decisions and many boosted expectations for a rate hike in June. In other news, several countries released the preliminary data for first quarter economic growth. In the U.S., comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell were also in focus as his term ends this month.