RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Oil prices slipped in early Thursday trade, pressured by a surprise build in U.S. fuel inventories and Saudi Arabia's price cut for Asian buyers. Brent crude futures dropped 21 cents, or 0.3%, to $64.65 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 29 cents, or 0.5%, to $62.58 as of 0047 GMT.
The decline followed a nearly 1% loss on Wednesday after U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data showed gasoline and distillate stockpiles rose more than expected, signaling weakened demand in the world's largest oil consumer. This bearish inventory data added to concerns about slowing economic activity.
In a further bearish signal, Saudi Arabia, the leading exporter within the OPEC+ alliance, lowered its July crude oil prices for Asian buyers to near four-year lows. The move came shortly after OPEC+ announced an increase in output by 411,000 barrels per day for July, suggesting a more aggressive push to regain market share.
According to Reuters, the pricing strategy by Saudi Arabia and Russia aims to pressure overproducing members and reassert dominance in the global oil market. Analysts say the decision reflects a complex balancing act within the OPEC+ group as it navigates fragile demand recovery.
Global trade tensions also weighed on sentiment. Canada signaled possible retaliatory measures while the European Union reported progress in trade talks amid renewed U.S. tariffs on metals. Heightened volatility around President Trump’s tariff policies has deepened concerns of a global economic slowdown.
Ole Hansen, analyst at Saxo Bank, noted that uncertainty driven by shifting U.S. trade policy continues to rattle markets and fuel fears of reduced energy demand, casting a shadow over near-term oil price recovery.
