Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
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Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
OPEC+ has agreed to increase oil production for a second consecutive month, raising output by 411,000 barrels per day in June, signaling continued efforts to unwind earlier cuts. The decision, made during a brief online meeting, comes despite Brent crude prices falling below $60 in April for the first time in four years and rising concerns over weaker global demand due to economic headwinds and U.S. trade tensions.
The producer alliance, led by Saudi Arabia and including Russia, stated that oil market fundamentals remain healthy and inventories are low. The June hike adds to the increases in April and May, bringing the total to 960,000 bpd—about 44% of the group’s previously agreed 2.2 million bpd cut. The phased unwinding began in April, with eight key OPEC+ members boosting supply by around 138,000 bpd monthly.
Saudi Arabia is reportedly pushing for faster output hikes to penalize Iraq and Kazakhstan over poor compliance with quotas. Kazakhstan, notably, exceeded its April quota and has openly prioritized national interests over group targets. Russia has also fallen slightly short of its commitments.
The latest decision follows pressure from U.S. President Joe Biden to raise production, with his visit to Saudi Arabia scheduled later this month. Analysts, including UBS’s Giovanni Staunovo, expect oil prices to fall further on Monday due to the increased supply and ongoing economic concerns.
Despite the production hikes, OPEC+ is still cutting nearly 5 million bpd in total, with many of those curbs extending through 2026. A full ministerial meeting is scheduled for May 28 to reassess output strategy amid shifting market dynamics and compliance challenges.
