US-Iran Trade Attacks, Strong US Jobs | Bloomberg Daybreak: Asia Edition

Crude oil prices remain highly sensitive to geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, with potential for Brent to reach $120 per barrel if shipping disruptions intensify. While China acts as a stabilizing force in crude markets, structural demand destruction from rising EV adoption persists. Gold maintains a bullish trajectory toward $4,900 per troy ounce, supported by consistent central bank acquisitions and its role as a hedge against currency debasement. Meanwhile, robust US employment data has recalibrated expectations for Federal Reserve policy, shifting the focus toward potential rate hikes. Beyond energy and interest rates, the global economy faces emerging "chipflation" risks as high demand for microelectronics filters into consumer prices. Japan is also nearing policy normalization, driven by significant wage growth and a departure from long-standing deflationary trends.