Yen Near 40-Year Low as USD/JPY Approaches Key 162 Level, Raising Intervention Concerns 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Russian Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Alphabet Slumps, Middle East Developments and Fed Outlook Weigh on Markets 
China Keeps Loan Prime Rates Unchanged for 13th Straight Month as Policymakers Prioritize Credit Demand Recovery 
Japan Keeps Markets Guessing as Yen Nears 40-Year Low, Raising Intervention Risks 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Oil Prices Fall as Iran Peace Talks Progress, Hormuz Reopens, and U.S. SPR Hits 1983 Low 
Japan, U.S. Discuss Yen Weakness as Currency Intervention Concerns Grow 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Supply Concerns 
U.S.-Iran Diplomacy Helps Drive Gasoline Prices Down 15% From May Highs 
Trump Says No Hormuz Strait Tolls During 60-Day Iran Ceasefire 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Rally Pauses, South Korean Chipmakers Lead Regional Decline 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
US Dollar Hits One-Year High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Overshadows Middle East Developments 
Gold Price Rises as Investors Weigh U.S.-Iran Talks and Fed Policy Outlook 
France Faces Long Road to Economic Rebalancing as Weak Demand and High Rates Weigh, Says Citi 
Oil prices fell on Thursday as optimism over potential peace talks between Ukraine and Russia raised hopes of easing sanctions, while U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats fueled economic concerns.
Brent crude dropped 55 cents (0.73%) to $74.63 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 52 cents (0.73%) to $70.85. This followed a more than 2% decline on Wednesday after Trump stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy were open to peace talks. The U.S. has begun discussions to end the war, which has disrupted global oil supplies.
Russia, the world’s third-largest oil producer, has faced sanctions since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Analysts at ANZ noted that oil prices declined due to optimism that supply risks could ease. U.S. and EU sanctions have constrained Russia’s oil output, tightening supply and pushing up prices.
In addition to geopolitical factors, Trump’s proposal for reciprocal tariffs raised fears of a global trade war, potentially slowing economic growth and reducing oil demand. He pledged to impose new duties on countries taxing U.S. imports, adding to inflation concerns.
A larger-than-expected build in U.S. crude inventories also pressured prices. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a 4.1 million-barrel increase in crude stockpiles to 427.9 million barrels for the week ending Feb. 7, surpassing analysts' forecast of a 3 million-barrel rise.
Market watchers continue to monitor geopolitical developments and economic policies that could impact global oil prices in the coming weeks.
