[Iraq Announces Official Selling Price for July Basra Medium Crude Oil: $1.80 Discount to Asia, $4.40 Discount to Europe] ⑴ Iraq's National Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) announced on Wednesday the official selling price for July Basra Medium crude oil: a $1.80 discount per barrel to the Oman/Dubai average for Asian customers. ⑵ A $5.40 premium per barrel to the ASCI benchmark for North and South American customers. A $4.40 discount per barrel to spot Brent crude for European customers. ⑶ From the regional pricing differences, the Asian and European markets received a significant discount, while the Americas market recorded a significant premium, reflecting the divergence in demand strength and competitive landscape across different markets.

[Czech Central Bank Committee Member Prochazka: 50/50 Probability of June Rate Hike or Hold, Any Rate Hike Not the Beginning of a New Cycle] ⑴ Czech Central Bank Committee member Jan Prochazka stated that next week's central bank meeting will face a debate between maintaining interest rates and raising them by 25 basis points, with a current 50/50 probability. Market pricing indicates a higher probability of a 25 basis point rate hike to 3.75% at the June 16 meeting, with the current main repo rate at 3.50%. ⑵ Prochazka pointed out that factors supporting a rate hike include a significant increase in wages, faster credit activity, and inflation in the service sector, which should peak above 3% in January next year. A rate hike can serve as a signal indicating the central bank's intention to control inflation. However, he stated that any rate hike would be a relatively quick and reversible operation, not the beginning of a new tightening cycle, and market bets of a maximum 100 basis point rate hike within a year seem unrealistic. ⑶ A weak economy is also an important consideration; the economy does not need such high interest rates. The June vote may be influenced by inflation expectations for early 2027. Regarding domestic fiscal policy, the potential for a rise followed by a decline in the deficit next year poses an inflation risk, but the overall situation is predictable. However, measures to reduce fuel prices and energy bills have obscured the inflation outlook. Uncertainty arising from the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are also variables in policy decisions.

According to reports from finance ministry officials and the International Financial Review (IFR), Greece raised €3 billion by reissuing 10-year bonds maturing in June 2036, enough to meet 95% of its borrowing needs this year. The final pricing was 68 basis points higher than the intermediate swap level.