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Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
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Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
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 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
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Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
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Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Oil prices edged higher in Asian trading on Friday after the U.S. imposed fresh sanctions on Iranian oil, but both Brent and WTI crude were set for weekly losses amid supply concerns.
Brent crude futures for May delivery rose 0.4% to $70.16 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 0.5% to $66.58 per barrel. Despite these gains, both benchmarks were on track for a 0.3% weekly decline following a more than 1% drop in the previous session, driven by trade tensions and oversupply worries.
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions targeting Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad and entities linked to Iran’s “shadow fleet,” which allegedly uses deceptive tactics to evade existing oil sanctions. The move is part of Washington’s ongoing effort to curb Tehran’s oil revenues and limit its regional influence.
Oil prices also found support from softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data for February, raising hopes that the Federal Reserve may pause interest rate hikes.
Meanwhile, traders are weighing the impact of Russia-Ukraine ceasefire negotiations, which could boost global oil supplies if successful. The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts an oversupplied market by 2025, citing weakening demand growth amid escalating trade tensions.
Adding to supply pressures, OPEC+ plans to gradually roll back voluntary production cuts from April 2025. In February, the alliance's oil production rose by 363,000 barrels per day to 41.01 million bpd.
While geopolitical risks support oil prices, concerns over excess supply and slowing demand continue to pressure the market.
