British Retail Sales See Strong Start to 2026 as Food and In-Store Spending Rise 
U.S. Stock Futures Steady as Investors Await Key Jobs and Inflation Data 
Yen Strengthens as Japan Election Boosts Confidence, Dollar Wavers Ahead of U.S. Jobs Data 
Japan Weighs Using Foreign Exchange Reserve Surplus to Fund Food Tax Cuts 
Asian Stock Markets Rise as Australian Shares Rally; Investors Eye U.S. Jobs Data and China Inflation 
China CPI Growth Slows While Producer Deflation Eases in January 
Gold and Silver Prices Slip After Strong U.S. Jobs Data, Fed Rate Cut Bets Fade 
Dollar Slips Ahead of Key U.S. Data as Yen Holds Post-Election Gains 
RBA Signals Further Interest Rate Hikes if Inflation Persists, Says Governor Michele Bullock 
Nikkei 225 Surges Past 58,000 as Japan Stocks Rally on Takaichi Stimulus Boost 
China Signals Strategic Rare Earth Push Amid Rising U.S. Competition 
Asian Stocks Rise as Japan Rally, AI Optimism and Fed Outlook Shape Markets 
House Votes to End Trump’s Canada Tariff Emergency, Senate Showdown Looms 
ASX Shares Slide as 2026 Cost Outlook Jumps Amid CEO Exit and ASIC Probe 
Russia Condemns U.S. Sanctions as Cuba Faces Critical Fuel Crisis 
Oil prices moved higher in Asian trading on Thursday as ongoing geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran kept a risk premium firmly embedded in crude markets. Investors closely monitored developments in the Middle East, while also assessing fresh U.S. economic data and a sharp rise in domestic oil inventories.
Brent crude futures for April delivery climbed 0.4% to $69.64 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures also gained 0.4% to $64.74 per barrel. The modest increase reflects cautious optimism among traders, balanced by concerns over supply and demand dynamics.
Market participants continue to factor in the possibility of escalating conflict in the Middle East. Reports earlier this week indicated that Washington is considering deploying a second aircraft carrier to the region. Although recent talks between the U.S. and Iran reportedly showed some progress regarding Tehran’s nuclear program, no definitive agreement has been reached. Additional reports suggested the U.S. may seize oil tankers carrying Iranian crude, further heightening supply disruption fears. A recent meeting between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also provided limited clarity, leaving traders wary of potential military escalation that could impact oil production in the region.
Meanwhile, strong U.S. nonfarm payrolls data for January signaled resilience in the world’s largest fuel-consuming economy. Robust job growth boosted expectations for steady oil demand. However, stronger economic performance also reduced the likelihood of near-term interest rate cuts, strengthening the U.S. dollar and capping gains in crude prices.
Further limiting upside momentum, U.S. Energy Information Administration data showed an 8.5 million-barrel increase in crude inventories last week, significantly above expectations. The build suggests a rebound in supply after extreme winter weather earlier this year disrupted output.
Investors are now turning their attention to China’s upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, traditionally marked by increased travel and higher fuel consumption, which could provide additional support to global oil prices.
