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French prosecutors say the Russian captain of the oil tanker with ties to Moscow has been released.

June 4th - According to Saudi Arabia's Al Arabiya television, citing sources, the agreement to unfreeze Iranian funds has entered its final stage, with the main obstacle being the mechanism for handling some of the frozen funds. A proposal to establish a special fund to hold frozen Iranian assets is under discussion. Furthermore, Trump informed the mediators that he opposes releasing funds to Iran before a formal agreement is signed. The mechanism of the special fund could allow for the gradual release of funds under international supervision, potentially bridging the gap between US concerns about Iran's immediate access to cash and Iran's demands for tangible economic benefits. Giuseppe Dellamotta, an analyst at the US financial website InvestingLive, stated that the dispute over frozen assets has been a recurring theme throughout the negotiations. Reports in recent weeks indicate that Iranian negotiators have been pressuring for the unfreezing of billions of dollars held overseas (particularly in Qatar), viewing this issue as a key test of Washington's willingness to provide substantial sanctions relief. Despite significant differences remaining, the latest reports suggest that negotiators are increasingly focusing on technical implementation issues rather than fundamental political disagreements. Diplomats believe that if the issue of the asset freeze mechanism can be resolved, the two sides may be able to reach a formal agreement, which would provide limited economic assistance to Iran while maintaining the United States' leverage in future negotiations on more sensitive issues.

Eurozone retail sales rose 1% year-on-year in April, below the expected 0.3% and the previous figure revised from 1.20% to 2.1%.

European software and IT stocks rose, with Nemetschek, Capgemini, SAP, Temenos, Wolters Kluwer, and Relx all gaining 3% to 5%.

According to TASS, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Novak stated that OPEC+ countries do not intend to share the UAE's oil production quota.

June 4th Futures News: Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) warehouse receipts and changes are as follows: 1. TSR20 rubber futures warehouse receipts: 27,721 tons, down 1,008 tons from the previous trading day; 2. Lead futures warehouse receipts: 57,498 tons, unchanged from the previous trading day; 3. Medium-sulfur crude oil futures warehouse receipts: 3,511,000 barrels, unchanged from the previous trading day; 4. Natural rubber futures warehouse receipts: 150,610 tons, down 10 tons from the previous trading day; 5. Copper futures warehouse receipts: 95,855 tons, down 536 tons from the previous trading day; 6. International copper futures warehouse receipts: 10,806 tons, unchanged from the previous trading day; 7. Nickel futures warehouse receipts: 85,496 tons, up 941 tons from the previous trading day; 8. Low-sulfur fuel oil warehouse futures warehouse receipts: 0 tons, down 2,000 tons from the previous trading day; 9. Stainless steel futures warehouse receipts: 81,729 tons, down 727 tons from the previous trading day; 10. Zinc futures warehouse receipts: 109,307 tons, down 100 tons from the previous trading day; 11. Butadiene rubber futures warehouse receipts: 30,070 tons, down 460 tons from the previous trading day; 12. Fuel oil futures warehouse receipts: 36,160 tons, unchanged from the previous trading day; 13. Alumina futures warehouse receipts: 422,363 tons, up 13,238 tons from the previous trading day; 14. Silver futures warehouse receipts: 972,900 kg, up 8,473 kg from the previous trading day; 15. Aluminum futures warehouse receipts: 489,930 tons, down 49 tons from the previous trading day; 16. Rebar futures warehouse receipts: 27,996 tons, unchanged from the previous trading day; 17. Gold futures warehouse receipts totaled 111,669 kg, unchanged from the previous trading day; 18. Petroleum asphalt plant warehouse futures warehouse receipts totaled 96,220 tons, unchanged from the previous trading day; 19. Petroleum asphalt warehouse futures warehouse receipts totaled 21,120 tons, unchanged from the previous trading day; 20. Tin futures warehouse receipts totaled 11,790 tons, an increase of 109 tons from the previous trading day; 21. Pulp warehouse futures warehouse receipts totaled 232,741 tons, an increase of 5,623 tons from the previous trading day; 22. Pulp mill warehouse futures warehouse receipts totaled 20,000 tons, unchanged from the previous trading day; 23. Hot-rolled coil futures warehouse receipts totaled 453,480 tons, a decrease of 10,897 tons from the previous trading day.

On June 4, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, met with Michelle Bachelet, the candidate for the next UN Secretary-General and former President of Chile, in Beijing. Bachelet stated that the UN is an indispensable platform for jointly addressing global challenges. She firmly adheres to the one-China policy and highly appreciates China's long-term commitment to promoting multilateralism and the UN's cause, expressing her willingness to jointly strengthen the UN's status and role. Wang Yi stated that the selection of the next Secretary-General is crucial to the UN's reform and development over the next five to ten years, and concerns the vital interests of UN member states, especially the countries of the Global South. China will participate in the election of the next Secretary-General with a responsible and constructive attitude, promoting the revitalization of the UN's authority and vitality.

Google (GOOG.O): Plans to launch identity pass in some EU member states this summer.

The onshore yuan closed at 6.7768 against the US dollar at 16:30 on June 4, down 48 points from the previous trading day.

The UK's May construction PMI came in at 38.2, below the expected 40.2 and the previous reading of 39.7.

June 4th - According to the latest smartphone market outlook tracking report from global market research firm Counterpoint Research, the global smartphone market is entering a more significant adjustment phase than in recent years. Global smartphone shipments are projected to decline by 13.9% year-on-year in 2026, falling to approximately 1.08 billion units, marking a new annual low since 2013, and exceeding the 12.4% decline predicted in February of this year.

The Hang Seng Index closed down 379.81 points, or 1.48%, at 25,253.4 on Thursday, June 4; the Hang Seng Tech Index closed down 81.61 points, or 1.61%, at 4,975.36; the H-share Index closed down 94.68 points, or 1.1%, at 8,501.91; and the Red Chip Index closed down 36.33 points, or 0.82%, at 4,420.51.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reported that new car registrations in the UK rose 7.1% year-on-year in May, reaching 160,662 vehicles.

Futures News, June 4th: Enterprise Singapore (ESG) reported that as of the week ending June 3rd, Singapore's middle distillate fuel inventories fell by 1.667 million barrels to a 12-week low of 7.297 million barrels.