Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Singapore GDP Grows 5.7% in Q2 2026 as AI-Driven Manufacturing Boosts Economy 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Oil prices moved higher on Friday as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran heightened fears of potential supply disruptions in global energy markets. Investors reacted after Washington warned that Tehran could face severe consequences if it fails to reach a nuclear agreement within 10 to 15 days. The renewed geopolitical uncertainty pushed Brent crude futures up 21 cents, or 0.3%, to $71.87 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 23 cents, or 0.4%, to $66.66 per barrel.
On Thursday, both benchmarks settled at their highest levels in six months after President Donald Trump cautioned that “really bad things” could occur if Iran does not agree to curb its nuclear program. Although Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are peaceful, the U.S. believes otherwise, increasing the risk of further diplomatic strain or possible conflict.
Adding to market concerns, Iran announced plans for joint naval exercises with Russia shortly after temporarily closing the Strait of Hormuz for military drills. The strategic waterway, which borders Iran and the oil-rich Arabian Peninsula, handles roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply. Any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could significantly tighten global crude supply and drive oil prices even higher.
Supply-side factors also supported the recent rally in crude oil prices. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. crude inventories fell by 9 million barrels last week as refinery utilization and exports increased. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s oil exports declined to 6.988 million barrels per day in December, marking the lowest level since September, based on data from the Joint Organizations Data Initiative.
In Asia, Japan’s core consumer inflation slowed to 2.0% in January, the weakest pace in two years. Softer inflation may delay potential interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan. Lower interest rates in major oil-importing nations like Japan are generally viewed as supportive for global oil demand and crude prices, reinforcing the bullish sentiment in energy markets.
