Japan Signals Openness to Gradual BOJ Rate Hikes as Deflation Era Ends 
U.S.–Taiwan Trade Agreement Sets 15% Tariff, Boosts Energy and Semiconductor Investment 
ECB Expands Euro Liquidity Backstop to Strengthen Global Role of the Euro 
New Zealand House Prices Dip in January Amid Seasonal Slowdown and Severe Weather 
U.S. Inflation Cools in January as Gas Prices Fall, Core CPI Signals Sticky Price Pressures 
Oil Prices Steady as Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks and OPEC+ Output Plans Shape Market Outlook 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher Ahead of Holiday as Investors Await Key Economic Data 
Asian Stocks Hit Record High as Strong U.S. Jobs Data Tempers Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Oil Prices Steady but Head for Weekly Loss as Supply Glut Concerns Weigh 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as US-Iran Tensions and Strong Payroll Data Shape Market Sentiment 
Japan Coalition Urges BOJ Independence as Sales Tax Cut Plan Advances 
MOEX Russia Index Closes Flat as Gold Surges and Ruble Strengthens 
Gold and Silver Prices Slip After Strong U.S. Jobs Data, Fed Rate Cut Bets Fade 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Tumble Ahead of Key CPI Inflation Data 
Yen Surges After Takaichi Election Win as Markets Eye U.S. Inflation Data 
Yen Pulls Back After Rally as Fed Rate Cut Bets Support Dollar Stability 
Oil prices remained just below a nearly seven-month high on Tuesday as investors closely monitored renewed U.S.-Iran nuclear talks and ongoing uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy. Heightened Middle East tensions and shifting tariff signals from Washington continue to drive volatility across global energy markets.
Brent crude futures slipped 9 cents, or 0.1%, to $71.40 per barrel by 0120 GMT. The benchmark had climbed to $72.50 on Monday, its highest level since July 31, before swinging sharply amid fluctuating sentiment. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 11 cents, or 0.2%, to $66.20 per barrel, after touching $67.28 in the previous session, the strongest level since early August.
Market analysts say crude oil prices remain highly sensitive to geopolitical developments. A third round of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations is scheduled for Thursday in Geneva, according to Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi. The United States is pushing Iran to abandon its nuclear program, while Tehran continues to deny pursuing nuclear weapons and has refused to concede to U.S. demands.
Concerns about a potential military escalation have intensified after the U.S. State Department ordered the withdrawal of non-essential personnel and families from its embassy in Beirut. President Donald Trump warned that Iran would face serious consequences if a new deal is not reached.
At the same time, uncertainty over U.S. trade policy is weighing on investor sentiment. After the Supreme Court struck down emergency tariffs, Trump signaled he could impose higher duties under alternative trade laws, including raising temporary import tariffs to 15%.
Meanwhile, geopolitical risks extended to Eastern Europe, where Ukrainian drones reportedly struck a Russian pumping station linked to the Druzhba oil pipeline, a key supply route to Eastern Europe.
With crude oil trading near the top of its six-month range, analysts suggest that sustained geopolitical tensions could push prices toward the $70–$72 range, while signs of de-escalation may trigger a pullback toward $61 per barrel.
