US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Global energy investment is set to reach a record $3.3 trillion in 2025, with clean energy technologies taking the lead, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Despite global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, spending on renewables, nuclear, and energy storage is projected to hit $2.2 trillion—double the amount expected for fossil fuels.
The IEA’s annual World Energy Investment report highlights solar energy as the biggest winner, with investment expected to top $450 billion next year. Battery storage is also gaining traction, with spending forecast to jump to $66 billion, as demand grows for technologies that support the intermittency of renewables by storing excess power for peak usage periods.
In contrast, investment in oil and gas is projected to decline. Upstream oil investment is expected to drop by 6% in 2025, marking the first decrease since the 2020 pandemic-induced downturn. The decline is driven by lower oil prices and reduced demand forecasts.
However, the IEA warns of a looming risk to electricity security due to lagging investment in power grids. Current annual grid spending of $400 billion falls short compared to generation and electrification investments. The agency stresses that grid investments must reach near parity with generation by the early 2030s, but progress is hindered by regulatory delays and supply chain bottlenecks for essential components like transformers and cables.
Spending is also uneven globally. While China accounts for nearly one-third of clean energy investment, many developing nations face difficulties attracting capital for essential infrastructure upgrades, underscoring a widening global energy gap. The IEA urges accelerated and balanced investment to ensure a secure and sustainable energy future.
