China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Oil prices slipped slightly on Tuesday as markets weighed expectations of an OPEC+ production increase and mounting concerns over a global economic slowdown driven by potential U.S. tariff hikes.
Brent crude futures for September delivery dropped 16 cents, or 0.24%, to $66.58 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 20 cents, or 0.31%, to $64.91.
Analysts point to a likely continuation of accelerated output hikes by OPEC+, the alliance of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia. According to four OPEC+ sources, the group is set to boost output by 411,000 barrels per day (bpd) in August, following increases in May, June, and July. If confirmed, this will bring the total 2025 increase to 1.78 million bpd—roughly 1.5% of global demand. The final decision will be made during the OPEC+ meeting on July 6.
At the same time, market sentiment remains cautious due to looming U.S. tariff risks. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that countries could face steep tariff hikes—ranging from 11% to 50%—as a July 9 deadline nears, potentially reversing the temporary 10% rate. Investors fear that rising tariffs could dent global trade and energy demand.
Morgan Stanley projects Brent crude will drop to around $60 per barrel by early 2026 due to expected oversupply and easing geopolitical tensions. The bank forecasts a surplus of 1.3 million bpd in 2026. Brent prices had spiked above $80 after U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites in mid-June but later plunged to $67 following a ceasefire announcement between Israel and Iran.
Overall, oil markets remain volatile, shaped by production policy shifts and geopolitical uncertainty.
