Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Asian Shares Flat Ahead of Iran Sanctions, Nvidia Results
Asian stock markets were mostly quiet on Monday.
Investors were waiting to learn what new U.S. sanctions on Iran would involve.
Oil prices fell a little, although they had risen strongly the previous week.
People are also watching NVIDIA Corporation, which will announce its results on Wednesday.
Analysts expect the chip company to report very large revenue.
Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh will speak on Friday about the economy and interest rates.
Investors will also study new U.S. inflation data for clues about future rate decisions.
Canada said it would place tariffs on some U.S. goods after trade talks broke down.
These events could make markets move more sharply later in the week.
Asian shares were broadly flat as investors awaited details of threatened U.S. sanctions on Iran.
Brent crude fell 1.0% to $93.43 a barrel, while U.S. crude declined 1.1% to $86.14.
NVIDIA Corporation is expected to report about $92 billion in quarterly revenue on Wednesday.
Markets are watching Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh’s Friday speech for clues about interest rates.
The Canadian dollar weakened after Canada threatened retaliatory tariffs as trade talks with the United States broke down.
- Who
- Investors, NVIDIA Corporation, Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney are central to the report.
- What
- Asian shares were broadly flat, oil prices eased, and currencies moved modestly as markets awaited Iran sanctions, NVIDIA Corporation’s earnings, and U.S. economic signals.
- When
- Monday, August 24, 2026; NVIDIA Corporation’s results are expected Wednesday and Kevin Warsh’s speech is scheduled for Friday.
- Where
- Asian financial markets, Jackson Hole in Wyoming, Iran, and the United States-Canada trade relationship.
- Why
- Investors were assessing possible sanctions on Iran, the effects of trade tariffs, interest-rate prospects, inflation data, and high bond yields.
Factors Supporting Markets
Factors Pressuring Markets
Iran sanctions and oil
Factors Supporting Markets
Oil prices had gained 6.6% the previous week, reflecting pressure on Iran and concerns involving the Strait of Hormuz.
Factors Pressuring Markets
Oil prices eased on Monday as investors awaited the specific sanctions, while uncertainty remained over their potential market impact.
Federal Reserve outlook
Factors Supporting Markets
A clear signal that interest rates may remain supportive could reassure equity investors, and markets already price a rate move by December.
Factors Pressuring Markets
High inflation, bond yields, and uncertainty could keep rates elevated; markets imply about a 40% chance of a rate increase at the September 16 meeting.
Trade relations
Factors Supporting Markets
Retaliatory tariffs could protect Canadian industries targeted by U.S. measures, including steel, dairy, appliances, and electronics.
Factors Pressuring Markets
The breakdown in U.S.-Canada trade talks and threat of a wider trade war weakened the Canadian dollar and increased economic uncertainty.
- Asian shares
- MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.2%; South Korea fell 0.8% and Taiwan fell 0.5%.
- Brent crude
- Down 1.0% to $93.43 per barrel before the sanctions announcement, after gaining 6.6% the previous week.
- U.S. crude
- Down 1.1% to $86.14 per barrel.
- NVIDIA Corporation forecast
- Analysts expect quarterly revenue of about $92 billion, with full-year earnings guidance forecast at $103 billion to $105 billion.
- Interest-rate expectations
- Markets imply about a 40% chance of a Federal Reserve rate increase on September 16 and fully price a move by December.
- U.S. 30-year yield
- 5.2760%, near a recent 19-year peak of 5.3371%.
- Canadian dollar
- The U.S. dollar rose 0.1% against it to 1.3784 after Canada threatened retaliatory tariffs.
- Gold
- Up 0.4% to $4,623 an ounce after rising more than 14% for the month.
