Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Asian Stocks Slide as Nikkei Leads Losses on Tech Selloff and Rising U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Oil prices saw a slight uptick early Thursday following a nearly 2% drop in the previous session, as markets react to potential OPEC+ output hikes, U.S.-China tariff discussions, and renewed U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations.
Brent crude rose 6 cents to $66.18 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) climbed 7 cents to $62.34. The prior session's decline was triggered by a Reuters report suggesting some OPEC+ members may push for faster production increases in June, despite ongoing disputes over quota compliance.
Investor sentiment remains mixed amid contradictory signals from Washington regarding tariffs on Chinese imports. While The Wall Street Journal noted that the White House might lower tariffs to 50% to revive trade talks, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated current tariffs of 145% on Chinese goods and 125% on U.S. exports are unsustainable. However, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that no unilateral tariff cuts are planned.
A prolonged trade standoff could dampen oil demand, with Rystad Energy forecasting China's oil demand growth could be halved to 90,000 barrels per day in 2025 if tensions persist. Meanwhile, reports from the Financial Times suggest that former President Trump may consider tariff exemptions on Chinese auto parts, which could influence trade dynamics further.
In the Middle East, U.S.-Iran nuclear talks are entering a third round this weekend. Analysts are watching for any sign of sanctions relief that could lead to increased Iranian oil exports. However, fresh U.S. sanctions imposed Tuesday on Iran’s energy sector have cast doubt over diplomatic progress, with Tehran calling the move a sign of "lack of goodwill."
With geopolitical tensions and energy diplomacy in flux, oil markets remain on edge as global supply and demand forecasts shift.
