Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Stronger Dollar Weighs, Yen Supported by GPIF Repatriation Hopes 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Dollar Rises as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation and Rate Hike Fears 
Gold Prices Fall as US-Iran Conflict, Rising Oil Prices Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
Oil prices declined in Asian trading on Thursday as investors evaluated the impact of a newly announced U.S.-Iran peace agreement and growing expectations of a global oil supply surplus. The prospect of increased Iranian crude exports and stronger worldwide production weighed on market sentiment, pushing both Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures lower.
Brent crude futures for August delivery fell 1% to $78.73 per barrel, while WTI crude futures dropped 1.2% to $75.89 per barrel. The decline followed a brief rebound on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that the agreement with Iran was not yet finalized and warned that military action could resume if Tehran failed to comply with the deal’s conditions.
Market participants are closely analyzing the details of the interim U.S.-Iran accord, which was digitally signed by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The 60-day agreement includes a ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a gradual easing of U.S. restrictions on Iranian oil exports. However, Washington has emphasized that sanctions and pressure could be reinstated if Iran violates the agreement.
The possibility of additional Iranian oil entering global markets has strengthened expectations of improved supply conditions after weeks of disruptions linked to tensions in the Gulf region. Adding further pressure on crude prices, the International Energy Agency (IEA) recently warned that the oil market could face a significant surplus once Middle Eastern production fully recovers.
According to the IEA, global oil supply is expected to increase by approximately 8 million barrels per day between 2026 and 2027, while demand growth is projected at only around 2 million barrels per day. This imbalance could result in a surplus exceeding 5 million barrels per day by 2027.
Despite the bearish outlook, U.S. inventory data offered some support to oil prices. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that commercial crude inventories fell by 8.3 million barrels to 418.2 million barrels during the week ending June 12, significantly exceeding analyst forecasts for a 3.6 million-barrel decline. Gasoline inventories also decreased by 0.9 million barrels, while distillate fuel stockpiles unexpectedly rose by about 1 million barrels.
Investors are also monitoring U.S. monetary policy after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged but signaled the possibility of a rate hike later this year, a move that could influence economic growth and future energy demand.
