Australian Business Conditions Ease Slightly in January as Cost Pressures Hit Post-Pandemic Lows 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Middle East Tensions 
Trump Threatens to Block Gordie Howe Bridge, Escalating U.S.-Canada Trade Tensions 
Singapore GDP Surges in Q4 2025 as Government Raises 2026 Growth Outlook 
Yen Slides as Japan Election Boosts Fiscal Stimulus Expectations 
British Retail Sales See Strong Start to 2026 as Food and In-Store Spending Rise 
Asian Stocks Rise as Japan Rally, AI Optimism and Fed Outlook Shape Markets 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Yen Firms on Intervention Talk 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Bangladesh Secures Reduced 19% U.S. Tariff in Landmark Trade Agreement 
U.S. Stock Futures Steady as Investors Await Key Jobs and Inflation Data 
UK Starting Salaries See Strongest Growth in 18 Months as Hiring Sentiment Improves 
Gold Prices Slip in Asian Trade as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Asian Markets Surge as Japan Election, Fed Rate Cut Bets, and Tech Rally Lift Global Sentiment 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Global oil prices edged lower on Tuesday as investors weighed geopolitical risks in the Middle East against ongoing diplomatic efforts and fresh developments in global energy trade. Brent crude futures slipped 25 cents, or 0.4%, to trade at $68.79 per barrel in early Asian hours, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude declined 23 cents, or 0.4%, to $64.13 per barrel. The modest pullback followed a more than 1% gain in the previous session, reflecting persistent uncertainty in the market.
Oil markets remain focused on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil consumption passes. Attention intensified after the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration advised U.S.-flagged commercial vessels to avoid Iran’s territorial waters and refuse boarding requests from Iranian forces. The advisory has reinforced fears of potential supply disruptions, as any escalation in the narrow waterway between Oman and Iran could significantly impact global oil supply.
The Strait of Hormuz is especially critical for OPEC exporters, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Iraq, which ship most of their crude through the route, largely to Asian markets. Despite the heightened caution, diplomatic signals have been mixed. Iran’s top diplomat recently described Oman-mediated nuclear talks with the United States as having a “good start,” suggesting room for de-escalation even as tensions remain elevated.
Analysts note that geopolitical uncertainty continues to support a risk premium in oil prices. Market watchers are also tracking developments beyond the Middle East. The European Union has proposed expanding sanctions on Russian oil to include ports in Georgia and Indonesia that handle Russian crude, marking the first time the bloc would target third-country ports as part of its efforts to curb Moscow’s energy revenues amid the Ukraine war.
Adding to shifting trade flows, Indian Oil Corp reportedly purchased six million barrels of crude from West Africa and the Middle East, as India reduces its reliance on Russian oil while pursuing a broader trade deal with Washington. Together, these factors are shaping a cautious but volatile outlook for global oil prices.
