Oil Prices Steady as Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks and OPEC+ Output Plans Shape Market Outlook 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Stabilizes Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Tumble Ahead of Key CPI Inflation Data 
New Zealand House Prices Dip in January Amid Seasonal Slowdown and Severe Weather 
Gold and Silver Prices Slip After Strong U.S. Jobs Data, Fed Rate Cut Bets Fade 
Asian Stocks Hit Record High as Strong U.S. Jobs Data Tempers Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Japan, U.S. Speed Up Talks on $550 Billion Investment Deal Amid Tariff Pressure 
Fed Governor Stephen Miran Warns Tight Monetary Policy Threatens U.S. Economic Growth 
Japan GDP Growth Slows Sharply in Q4 2025 Amid Weak Business Spending and Trade Tensions 
Ukraine Secures $8.2 Billion IMF Loan as Tax Conditions Are Eased 
U.S. Inflation Cools in January as Gas Prices Fall, Core CPI Signals Sticky Price Pressures 
UK House Prices Hold Steady in February as Rightmove Reports Post-Budget Market Stability 
Japan Signals Openness to Gradual BOJ Rate Hikes as Deflation Era Ends 
Yen Pulls Back After Rally as Fed Rate Cut Bets Support Dollar Stability 
Oil Prices Steady but Head for Weekly Loss as Supply Glut Concerns Weigh 
U.S.–Taiwan Trade Agreement Sets 15% Tariff, Boosts Energy and Semiconductor Investment 
Oil prices moved higher on Friday as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran heightened fears of potential supply disruptions in global energy markets. Investors reacted after Washington warned that Tehran could face severe consequences if it fails to reach a nuclear agreement within 10 to 15 days. The renewed geopolitical uncertainty pushed Brent crude futures up 21 cents, or 0.3%, to $71.87 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 23 cents, or 0.4%, to $66.66 per barrel.
On Thursday, both benchmarks settled at their highest levels in six months after President Donald Trump cautioned that “really bad things” could occur if Iran does not agree to curb its nuclear program. Although Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are peaceful, the U.S. believes otherwise, increasing the risk of further diplomatic strain or possible conflict.
Adding to market concerns, Iran announced plans for joint naval exercises with Russia shortly after temporarily closing the Strait of Hormuz for military drills. The strategic waterway, which borders Iran and the oil-rich Arabian Peninsula, handles roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply. Any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could significantly tighten global crude supply and drive oil prices even higher.
Supply-side factors also supported the recent rally in crude oil prices. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. crude inventories fell by 9 million barrels last week as refinery utilization and exports increased. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s oil exports declined to 6.988 million barrels per day in December, marking the lowest level since September, based on data from the Joint Organizations Data Initiative.
In Asia, Japan’s core consumer inflation slowed to 2.0% in January, the weakest pace in two years. Softer inflation may delay potential interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan. Lower interest rates in major oil-importing nations like Japan are generally viewed as supportive for global oil demand and crude prices, reinforcing the bullish sentiment in energy markets.
