China Boosts Gold Reserves by 650,000 Ounces as Prices Rally 
Japan, U.S. Stay Aligned on Yen as Currency Surges 
US Stock Futures Mixed as Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
Iran Vows Tougher Response as U.S. Sanctions Squeeze Economy 
Uranium Prices Could Top $100 as Nuclear Demand Grows 
China Exports Surge 25% in August as Trade Surplus Hits $119 Billion 
OPEC+ Expected to Hold October Oil Output Steady 
Hungary Industrial Output Beats Forecasts With 4.7% July Growth 
Gold Holds Near $4,400 as Fed Hike Bets Rise 
Japan Foreign Reserves Plunge $79.6 Billion After Record Yen Intervention 
Japan GDP Growth Beats Forecast, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Bets 
South Korea GDP Surges on Chip and AI Boom 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Optimism Fuels Chipmaker Surge 
Oil Prices Climb as Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Infrastructure 
Iran Plans New Gulf Restricted Zone as Hormuz Tensions Push Oil Higher 
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Oil prices edged higher during Asian trading on Thursday as conflicting signals over potential Middle East de-escalation kept energy markets on alert. Brent crude futures for May delivery rose 0.8% to $103.02 per barrel, while WTI crude gained 1% to reach $91.20 per barrel, partially recovering from losses exceeding 2% in the prior session.
The modest rebound came as traders digested cautious diplomatic developments out of Tehran, where Iranian officials are reportedly evaluating a U.S.-backed framework aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. Although Iran has yet to formally accept the proposal, its refusal to outright reject it has injected a degree of cautious optimism into the market. However, Iranian authorities publicly denied engaging in direct talks with Washington, citing unresolved core differences, which continued to fuel uncertainty among investors.
Crude oil prices have experienced extreme volatility in recent weeks following disruptions to energy flows from the Gulf region, a cornerstone of global crude supply. Earlier this month, Brent surged past $119 per barrel driven by fears of major supply outages, underscoring how sensitive energy markets remain to geopolitical risk in the region.
A central concern for oil traders remains the Strait of Hormuz, the critical shipping corridor through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes. Any renewed threat to navigation through the waterway could quickly reignite upward pressure on global crude prices.
Wednesday's price decline reflected market relief following early ceasefire reports, which temporarily reduced the geopolitical risk premium built into oil valuations. Meanwhile, Washington's warnings of stronger economic measures should Iran fail to engage meaningfully added yet another layer of complexity to an already fragile outlook.
With diplomatic negotiations fluid and regional tensions unresolved, oil markets are expected to remain highly sensitive to any new developments in the coming days.
