Japan, U.S. Discuss Yen Weakness as Currency Intervention Concerns Grow 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Alphabet Slumps, Middle East Developments and Fed Outlook Weigh on Markets 
Gold Prices Mixed as Stronger Dollar Offsets Safe-Haven Demand Amid U.S.-Iran Peace Talks 
U.S.-Iran Diplomacy Helps Drive Gasoline Prices Down 15% From May Highs 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Oil Prices Fall as Iran Peace Talks Progress, Hormuz Reopens, and U.S. SPR Hits 1983 Low 
US Dollar Hits One-Year High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Overshadows Middle East Developments 
Yen Near 40-Year Lows Despite BOJ Rate Hike, Markets Brace for Possible Intervention 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
China Keeps Loan Prime Rates Unchanged for 13th Straight Month as Policymakers Prioritize Credit Demand Recovery 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
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 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Supply Concerns 
Oil prices declined on Wednesday after Russia agreed to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, raising prospects of increased Russian oil supply.
Brent crude futures dropped 12 cents to $70.44 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 15 cents to $66.75. Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to pause strikes on Ukrainian facilities but stopped short of a full ceasefire. Analysts suggest this could lead to a potential easing of sanctions, boosting global oil supply and lowering prices.
Additional pressure on oil markets came from growing recession fears linked to U.S. tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. However, ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East limited further declines. Trump pledged to hold Iran accountable for Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, while Israel’s airstrikes in Gaza, which killed at least 200 people, raised concerns over regional oil supply disruptions.
Meanwhile, U.S. crude oil inventory data provided mixed signals. The American Petroleum Institute reported a 4.59-million-barrel increase in crude stocks for the week ending March 14, while gasoline and distillate inventories fell by 1.71 million and 2.15 million barrels, respectively. Official government data is expected later Wednesday.
With uncertainty in both supply and demand factors, oil markets remain volatile, balancing potential Russian output increases against Middle Eastern instability.
