Global crude prices extended losses on Thursday after the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending their conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy shipments. Equity markets also responded unevenly as investors digested the Federal Reserve’s latest policy signals.

Oil benchmarks dropped in early trading following confirmation that US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had signed an initial agreement designed to halt hostilities and restore normal maritime flows through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway handles a significant share of global crude exports, and expectations of its reopening immediately weighed on prices.

At the time of writing, West Texas Intermediate fell 2.3% to around $75 a barrel, while Brent crude slipped about 2% to $78 a barrel. Although both benchmarks remain above pre-conflict levels near $70, they have retreated sharply from recent highs above $100 recorded during the height of the tensions.

The agreement sets a 60-day period for negotiations on a final settlement addressing Iran’s nuclear programme. In the interim, Tehran has agreed to reduce its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The deal also includes provisions for easing sanctions, allowing Iran to resume oil exports and enabling tanker traffic to move more freely through the Persian Gulf.

US officials have indicated that the Strait of Hormuz could be fully reopened by Friday without transit fees, a development that has reinforced expectations of increased global supply. President Trump, commenting after the signing, said “oil down, stocks up,” reflecting market reactions to the accord.

Despite the easing outlook, the International Energy Agency has warned that global oil markets remain fragile. Strategic reserves in advanced economies have fallen to their lowest levels since 1990, with OECD stockpiles declining by more than 160 million barrels since the conflict began. The agency also revised down its demand forecast, citing weaker consumption and elevated fuel prices.

Flows through the Strait of Hormuz had already begun recovering before the agreement, reaching roughly 12 million barrels per day in early June after a period of disruption.

Financial markets, meanwhile, delivered a mixed performance following the Federal Reserve’s latest projections. Wall Street fell on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 down 1.2%, the Dow Jones off 1%, and the Nasdaq losing 1.3%, after policymakers signalled the possibility of interest rate increases later this year.

In his first press conference as Fed chair, Kevin Warsh avoided committing to a clear policy path, signalling a shift in how the central bank communicates future decisions. US President Donald Trump, attending the G7 summit in France, described the situation as “whatever,” while acknowledging uncertainty over potential rate hikes.

Early trading on Thursday pointed to a rebound, with US futures higher and Asian equities advancing on optimism over easing geopolitical risks. European markets opened more cautiously, reflecting lingering uncertainty despite the improving energy outlook.

UniCredit’s hostile €35 billion takeover offer for Germany’s Commerzbank is set to close on Tuesday night, bringing to a head a politically charged banking battle that has drawn resistance from Berlin and renewed debate over consolidation in Europe’s financial sector.

The Milan-based lender launched its bid in early May in an effort to take control of Commerzbank and strengthen its position as a pan-European banking powerhouse. The offer, which formally expires at 11:59 p.m. local time unless extended, has already cleared the 30 percent acceptance threshold UniCredit had set as a key milestone.

However, the proposal has been widely criticised as undervaluing the German lender, and has faced firm opposition from both Commerzbank’s leadership and the German government. Berlin has repeatedly voiced concerns over the bid, warning that Commerzbank plays a critical role in financing Germany’s small and medium-sized enterprises as well as supporting employment in Frankfurt’s financial sector.

Germany’s Financial Market Stabilisation Fund rejected the offer outright on Tuesday, stating that it supports Commerzbank’s independence strategy and opposes what it described as UniCredit’s aggressive approach. Chancellor Friedrich Merz had earlier warned that the bid risks undermining trust in one of Germany’s key private banks.

In response, Commerzbank chief executive Bettina Orlopp has introduced a long-term strategy aimed at improving profitability by 2030, including cost-cutting measures and restructuring efforts designed to make the bank more efficient and attractive to investors.

UniCredit, meanwhile, has reported growing support for its bid, stating that acceptance levels stood at 11.9 percent as of Monday, in addition to its existing 26.7 percent stake. The bank has also disclosed exposure through derivatives linked to an additional share of Commerzbank’s capital.

The Italian lender argues that surpassing the 30 percent threshold should allow it greater influence over governance, including the appointment of supervisory board representatives. That position has been firmly rejected by Commerzbank, which points to existing agreements with the German state that protect its role in board nominations.

Tensions between the two institutions have also escalated over allegations of misleading disclosures. Commerzbank has asked Germany’s financial regulator, BaFin, to investigate UniCredit’s reporting practices, while prosecutors in Frankfurt have opened a preliminary inquiry into possible market manipulation linked to trading activity during the offer period.

UniCredit has rejected all accusations, insisting its disclosures comply fully with regulatory requirements and accusing Commerzbank management of misrepresenting the facts to shape public perception.

Beyond pricing and governance disputes, the takeover attempt highlights broader concerns about consolidation in European banking and the future structure of national financial institutions. With the offer deadline approaching, the outcome will determine whether UniCredit can advance its ambition of reshaping its German operations through a deeper integration with Commerzbank or whether resistance from Berlin succeeds in halting the bid.