Dollar Rises as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation and Rate Hike Fears 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Gold Prices Fall as US-Iran Conflict, Rising Oil Prices Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Iraq PM Visits Washington as U.S. Oil, Gas Deals Take Center Stage 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
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.
