Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Oil prices rose on Thursday following a U.S. trade court’s decision to block President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs, easing market fears over global trade disruptions. Brent crude futures gained 81 cents, or 1.25%, reaching $65.71 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 83 cents, or 1.34%, to $62.62 at 0102 GMT.
The court ruled Trump exceeded his authority by imposing blanket tariffs on countries with trade surpluses over the U.S., sparking a broad rally across risk assets. However, analysts warned the optimism may be short-lived as the administration plans to appeal the decision.
Investors are also closely monitoring potential new U.S. sanctions targeting Russian crude exports, which could tighten global supply. Despite earlier sanctions over the Ukraine conflict, Russian oil exports have shown resilience, casting doubt on the impact of additional restrictions. According to Commonwealth Bank of Australia analyst Vivek Dhar, further U.S. measures may have limited effect.
Meanwhile, OPEC+ is expected to meet Saturday, with speculation growing that the alliance could accelerate oil output hikes in July. Market participants are watching for signals amid growing global demand.
Adding to supply pressures, Chevron has ceased oil production activities in Venezuela after losing a key license in March. The halt disrupted roughly 290,000 barrels per day of exports, over one-third of Venezuela’s output. The South American nation also canceled Chevron cargoes in April due to payment concerns tied to sanctions.
Rystad Energy’s Mukesh Sahdev projects a bullish market through August, with global liquids demand set to outpace supply by 600,000 to 700,000 barrels per day. Later Thursday, attention will shift to weekly inventory data from the American Petroleum Institute and the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Early reports suggest U.S. crude and gasoline stocks declined, while distillate inventories rose.
