NYSE

Exxon Mobil is drawing investor attention as oil markets react to two forces: firmer crude prices and renewed diplomatic activity around Iran. Traders are watching whether talks affecting Iranian oil supply could shift global output expectations, with movements in Exxon shares seen as a barometer of sentiment about where crude heads next.

President Trump has approved new fuel economy standards and moved to end the Biden-era electric vehicle mandate, according to a report from Seeking Alpha. The change reverses policies that pushed automakers toward EV production, a shift likely to affect companies such as Ford, which trades on the NYSE under ticker F. The move is being covered as a significant regulatory and economic story for the auto industry.

UBS's latest housing bubble risk index places Zurich and Tokyo at the top, identifying them as the cities most exposed to overvaluation. The report finds that global house price growth is slowing, easing bubble risk in many markets. Investors are watching the findings for signals on real estate exposure in major cities.

Reports indicate China may approve purchases of Nvidia's new RTX Pro 5500 chips by Alibaba and ByteDance, a potential easing of restrictions on advanced US semiconductor sales to major Chinese tech firms. The move would give two of China's largest companies access to hardware relevant to AI and data centre work, and investors are watching Nvidia's exposure to the Chinese market closely.

Barrick Gold has reached an agreement with unions, avoiding a strike at its Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex in Mali. The deal defuses a labor dispute at one of the company's most important operations, as Barrick continues to face broader tensions with the Malian government over taxes, detained staff and operational restrictions at the site.