Wall Street Ends Mixed as Alphabet Slumps, Middle East Developments and Fed Outlook Weigh on Markets 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
China Keeps Loan Prime Rates Unchanged for 13th Straight Month as Policymakers Prioritize Credit Demand Recovery 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oil Rebounds Amid Fed Rate Hike Fears 
U.S.-Iran Diplomacy Helps Drive Gasoline Prices Down 15% From May Highs 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Supply Concerns 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low; Gold Falls and Oil Mixed 
Russian Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
New Zealand Fast-Tracks Gold Mining as Industry Revival Gains Momentum 
Yen Near 40-Year Low as USD/JPY Approaches Key 162 Level, Raising Intervention Concerns 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Japan Keeps Markets Guessing as Yen Nears 40-Year Low, Raising Intervention Risks 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Japan, U.S. Discuss Yen Weakness as Currency Intervention Concerns Grow 
Oil prices fell on Friday, heading for their first monthly decline since November, as concerns over global economic growth and weaker fuel demand overshadowed supply risks.
Brent crude futures for May slipped 0.4% to $73.26 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropped 0.4% to $70.05 a barrel by 0133 GMT. Both benchmarks are on track for their first monthly decline in three months.
Investor sentiment weakened amid fears of an economic slowdown in the U.S., Washington’s tariff threats, and OPEC+ plans to increase supply in April. Market analyst Tony Sycamore noted that while oil prices have already dropped significantly, WTI remains technically supported between $65 and $70 a barrel.
On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on Mexican and Canadian goods, along with an additional 10% duty on Chinese imports set to take effect on March 4. Meanwhile, U.S. jobless claims rose more than expected, and government data confirmed slower economic growth in the fourth quarter.
Despite these bearish factors, oil prices jumped over 2% on Thursday after Trump revoked U.S. oil giant Chevron’s license to operate in Venezuela. The move could prompt negotiations between Chevron and Venezuela’s PDVSA to redirect crude exports away from the U.S.
OPEC+ is weighing whether to proceed with its planned production increase in April or freeze output due to uncertainty over global supply amid fresh U.S. sanctions on Venezuela, Iran, and Russia. Sources within OPEC+ indicate ongoing discussions as they assess market conditions.
With economic concerns mounting and geopolitical risks shifting, oil markets remain volatile, keeping investors cautious about future price movements.
