Gold and Asian Stocks Rebound as Market Volatility Eases and Global Sentiment Improves 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
RBA Raises Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Indian Rupee Strengthens Sharply After U.S.-India Trade Deal Announcement 
Japan’s Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Exports Hit Record High in 2025 Despite Tariffs 
South Korea Inflation Hits Five-Month Low as CPI Reaches Central Bank Target 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Investors Eye Big Tech Earnings and AI Momentum 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
Oil Prices Steady as Markets Weigh U.S.-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength Caps Gains 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
Trump Announces U.S.–India Trade Deal Cutting Tariffs, Boosting Markets and Energy Ties 
Gold, Silver, and Platinum Rally as Precious Metals Recover from Sharp Selloff 
JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
Oil prices dropped at the start of Monday’s trading session as OPEC+ announced a larger-than-expected output hike, heightening concerns about a potential oversupply in the global market.
Brent crude futures slipped 67 cents, or 1%, to $67.63 a barrel as of 2308 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude saw a sharper decline, falling $1.20, or 1.8%, to $65.80 per barrel.
The drop follows OPEC+’s decision over the weekend to increase oil production by 548,000 barrels per day (bpd) in August. This marks a significant rise from previous monthly hikes of 411,000 bpd in May through July and 138,000 bpd in April. The meeting was the group’s first since recent geopolitical tensions—sparked by Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran—caused oil prices to spike and then retreat.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, known collectively as OPEC+, cited a stable global economic outlook and robust market fundamentals, such as low inventory levels, as justification for ramping up supply. However, the move has triggered market anxiety over whether the supply increase could outpace demand recovery, especially amid persistent economic uncertainties in major markets.
The decision underscores OPEC+’s balancing act between stabilizing prices and meeting growing global energy demands. While the group aims to support economic momentum by easing output restrictions, investors are wary that the rapid increase in supply could put downward pressure on oil prices in the short term.
As oil traders monitor upcoming demand data and geopolitical developments, market volatility is expected to persist. The next OPEC+ meeting will be closely watched for signs of any shift in production strategy.
