South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Oil prices eased on Tuesday following a nearly 2% surge the previous day, as markets digested escalating U.S. tariff tensions and a surprise increase in August output by OPEC+. Brent crude futures slipped 21 cents to $69.37 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 24 cents to $67.69.
The dip came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping 25% tariffs on countries including major oil suppliers Japan and South Korea, set to take effect on August 1. The move added volatility to global markets, stoking fears of a slowdown in global economic growth and a potential drag on oil demand.
Despite these concerns, demand in the U.S.—the world’s largest oil consumer—remains resilient. AAA projected a record 72.2 million Americans would travel over 50 miles during the Fourth of July holiday, supporting short-term consumption. Reflecting bullish sentiment, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission reported that money managers raised net-long positions in oil futures and options contracts through July 1.
Meanwhile, supply pressures are growing. OPEC and its allies, collectively known as OPEC+, agreed to boost output by 548,000 barrels per day (bpd) in August—well above the 411,000-bpd monthly increases seen since May. The move nearly eliminates the 2.2 million bpd in voluntary cuts implemented earlier. Analysts at Goldman Sachs anticipate a final 550,000-bpd increase to be announced at the next OPEC+ meeting on August 3.
However, the actual production boost has lagged behind announced targets, with most of the new supply coming from Saudi Arabia. The imbalance between pledged and real output continues to fuel uncertainty in oil markets already grappling with trade disruptions and demand risks.
