Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Asian Stocks Slide as Nikkei Leads Losses on Tech Selloff and Rising U.S.-Iran Tensions 
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 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Oil prices edged lower in Asian trading Thursday, easing after a recent rebound as concerns over a potential U.S. recession and increasing production weighed on sentiment. Brent crude futures slipped 0.2% to $70.83 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell to $67.24.
Despite a brief recovery from three-year lows, oil remains under pressure in 2025 due to softening demand and rising global supply. A weaker U.S. dollar and a sharper-than-expected decline in U.S. gasoline inventories provided temporary support, but worries over slowing economic growth and a U.S.-led trade war persist.
OPEC+ reported a production increase of 363,000 barrels per day in February, reaching 41.01 million bpd as the group continues to roll back production cuts. Kazakhstan led the rise, and additional output is expected in April, raising concerns of oversupply in a weakening market. However, OPEC+ maintained its 2025 demand growth forecast at 1.45 million bpd, expressing confidence in global economic resilience despite mounting trade tensions.
Investor sentiment remains fragile after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on steel and aluminum, warning of further trade restrictions. His aggressive stance on China, the world’s top oil importer, has fueled fears that escalating trade tensions could dampen demand.
A softer-than-expected U.S. consumer price index report temporarily lifted oil prices by weakening the dollar, but concerns over a potential recession linger. Market watchers now await the U.S. producer price index report for further economic signals.
With global supply rising and demand outlook uncertain, oil markets remain volatile, driven by economic headwinds and geopolitical risks.
