Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Oil prices declined in early Thursday trading after Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a plan aimed at ending the long-standing conflict in Gaza. The announcement reduced the war risk premium on crude, prompting investors to sell and pushing prices lower.
Brent crude futures fell 51 cents, or 0.77%, to $65.74 a barrel by 0002 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude slipped 55 cents, or 0.88%, to $62 a barrel. The decrease followed confirmation from U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel and Hamas had reached a long-sought ceasefire and hostage-release agreement, marking a significant step toward ending the two-year war in the Palestinian enclave.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that his government would convene on Thursday to approve the ceasefire deal. The Gaza conflict has long supported oil prices, with traders assessing the potential impact of regional escalation on global energy supply. The latest peace developments reduced that geopolitical tension, leading to a short-term pullback in prices.
On Wednesday, crude prices had gained around 1%, reaching a one-week high as investors reacted to stalled negotiations over a Ukraine peace deal. The lack of progress was seen as a factor maintaining sanctions against Russia, supporting global supply constraints and, in turn, oil prices.
Meanwhile, data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) revealed that total weekly U.S. petroleum products supplied—a proxy for oil demand—rose to 21.99 million barrels per day last week, the highest level since December 2022.
The combination of easing geopolitical tensions and robust U.S. demand presents a complex outlook for global oil markets. While the Gaza ceasefire has softened near-term price pressure, sustained consumption growth and lingering geopolitical risks may keep volatility elevated in the weeks ahead.
