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Rising Tensions in the Gulf as Iran Threatens Oil Blockade

                                     An aerial view of the Iranian shores and Port of Bandar Abbas in the strait of Hormuz Iran has escalated regional tensions by declaring it will block all oil shipments from the Middle East if U.S. and Israeli attacks persist, prompting a stark warning from President Donald Trump of a far stronger American military response.  The Revolutionary Guards’ vow to halt “one litre of oil” from leaving the region has already rattled global markets, contributing to falling crude prices and surging equities as investors brace for potential disruption in the Strait of Hormuz—a vital chokepoint for global energy supplies. Trump responded by threatening unprecedented retaliation should Iran follow through, insisting the U.S. would strike “much harder” to ensure oil exports remain uninterrupted.  Despite the heated rhetoric, he expressed confid...
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US Stock Futures Retreat as Tech Stocks Lose Steam


US stock futures inched lower on Tuesday as the previous day’s tech rally lost steam after a Samsung profit warning took the shine off the sector. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.4% and roughly 0.6%, respectively, after both indexes closed with their best single-day gains since November. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 0.4%.

Samsung’s update weighed on hopes for a rebound in the PC and mobile sector, a key market for its memory chips. The Korean company said it expects a 35% drop in fourth-quarter operating income, far short of estimates, as demand continues to lag.

Investors are currently focused on the December consumer inflation reading due Thursday and what it could mean for the chances of an easing in interest rates. But two Federal Reserve officials on Monday poured cold water on Wall Street’s already fading expectations that a cut could come in the next few months.

Meanwhile, oil prices rose over 2%, recouping some of Monday’s near 4% fall as investors weighed the impact of tensions in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia’s decision to cut crude prices.


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