Precious Metals Rally as Silver and Platinum Outperform on Rate Cut Bets 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip After CPI-Fueled Rally as Markets Weigh Economic Uncertainty 
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
Asian Markets Rebound as Tech Rally Lifts Wall Street, Investors Brace for BOJ Rate Hike 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution 
Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
Oil prices held steady early Friday following a sharp rally in the previous session, fueled by easing U.S.-China trade tensions and a new trade agreement between the U.S. and the UK. Brent crude inched up 7 cents to $62.91 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 7 cents to trade at $59.98 as of 0121 GMT. This comes after Brent rose 2.8% and WTI jumped 3.2% on Thursday.
Investor sentiment improved as U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent prepares to meet China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng in Switzerland on May 10, aiming to resolve trade disputes that have threatened global crude oil demand. Simultaneously, U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a breakthrough trade deal, with the UK slashing tariffs on U.S. goods to 1.8% from 5.1%. The U.S., in turn, lowered duties on British car imports but retained a 10% tariff on most other goods.
Meanwhile, oil supply dynamics remain in focus. OPEC+ is expected to gradually boost output, though a Reuters survey shows April production dipped due to declines in Libya, Venezuela, and Iraq. These cuts offset scheduled increases, potentially limiting the downward pressure on prices.
Additionally, stricter U.S. sanctions on Iran could tighten global supply. Recent penalties against two Chinese refiners for purchasing Iranian crude have disrupted their operations, forcing them to offload oil under alternative labels, sources told Reuters.
While geopolitical developments support prices, rising supply from OPEC+ could cap gains in the near term. Traders are closely watching upcoming trade talks and sanctions enforcement for further market direction.
