Trump Says No Hormuz Strait Tolls During 60-Day Iran Ceasefire 
US Stock Futures Recover as Iran Signals Progress in Peace Talks 
China Keeps Loan Prime Rates Unchanged for 13th Straight Month as Policymakers Prioritize Credit Demand Recovery 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oil Rebounds Amid Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Japan Keeps Markets Guessing as Yen Nears 40-Year Low, Raising Intervention Risks 
U.S.-Iran Diplomacy Helps Drive Gasoline Prices Down 15% From May Highs 
Russian Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Yen Near 40-Year Low as USD/JPY Approaches Key 162 Level, Raising Intervention Concerns 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Oil Prices Fall as Iran Peace Talks Progress, Hormuz Reopens, and U.S. SPR Hits 1983 Low 
100+ Global Companies Push Governments to Prioritize Electrification for Economic Growth 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Supply Concerns 
Oil prices edged lower in Asian trade on Wednesday as markets remained cautious over escalating trade tensions and rising global production. Brent crude futures for May slipped 0.2% to $70.93 per barrel, while WTI crude futures dropped 0.3% to $67.46 per barrel, hovering near a five-month low.
Investor sentiment weakened after U.S. President Donald Trump implemented higher tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico, intensifying economic concerns. The oil market also faced pressure from reports that OPEC+ will proceed with a marginal production increase starting in April.
Despite these challenges, crude prices found some support from China’s economic stimulus efforts. The country, the world's largest oil importer, set a 5% GDP growth target for 2025 and announced plans for increased fiscal spending and consumer subsidies. Additionally, Beijing will raise debt issuance to boost domestic consumption, aiming to counter sluggish economic conditions.
Market optimism also stemmed from U.S. inventory data. The American Petroleum Institute reported a larger-than-expected 1.5 million-barrel draw in U.S. crude stockpiles for the week ending February 28, surpassing forecasts of a 0.3-million-barrel decline. The draw raised hopes of improving fuel demand and tighter U.S. supplies after four consecutive weeks of inventory builds.
However, oil prices remained under pressure after Trump urged higher energy production both domestically and globally. The combination of tariff-related economic headwinds, increasing supply, and geopolitical uncertainty continues to weigh on market sentiment.
Investors now await official U.S. inventory data, due later on Wednesday, for further direction.
