Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
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.
