Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Oil prices edged higher in Asian trading on Wednesday, supported by improved market sentiment following a new U.S.-Japan trade agreement and a surprise draw in U.S. crude stockpiles.
As of 22:07 ET (02:07 GMT), Brent crude futures for September rose 0.4% to $68.84 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 0.3% to $65.50 per barrel.
The gains came after three consecutive sessions of losses, which were driven by U.S.-EU trade tensions and investor concerns over President Donald Trump’s upcoming August 1 tariff deadline.
Investor sentiment improved after Trump announced a major trade deal with Japan on Tuesday, which includes a reduced 15% tariff on Japanese imports—down from the initially proposed 25%. The agreement also includes a $550 billion Japanese investment in the U.S. and increased access to Japanese markets for U.S. exports, including autos, agricultural goods, and energy products. Markets interpreted the deal as a potential boost to global trade and oil demand.
Adding to the bullish momentum, the American Petroleum Institute (API) reported an unexpected 577,000-barrel decline in U.S. crude inventories for the week ending July 18, reversing a massive 19.1 million-barrel build from the previous week. The data suggested a possible rebound in fuel consumption during the peak summer driving season.
Gasoline inventories fell by 1.2 million barrels, while distillate stocks—including diesel and heating oil—rose by 3.48 million barrels. Analysts at ING noted this would bring some relief to the tight middle distillates market.
Investors now await official data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) for confirmation. Increased fuel demand and easing trade concerns could continue to support oil prices in the near term.
