South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Oil prices extended their rally in Asian trading on Friday, maintaining levels above a seven-week high and positioning for a strong weekly gain. The surge comes as concerns mount over Russian supply disruptions alongside an unexpected decline in U.S. crude inventories, both of which have tightened the market outlook.
As of 21:08 ET (01:08 GMT), Brent crude futures for November delivery edged up 0.3% to $69.63 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures rose 0.4% to $65.25 per barrel. Both benchmarks remain at their highest since early August and are on track for a weekly rise of more than 4%.
Russia announced partial restrictions on diesel exports and extended its gasoline export ban until the end of 2025 to secure domestic fuel supplies. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted Russian energy facilities in Bryansk, Samara, and Bashkortostan, disrupting refinery operations and intensifying fears over reduced export capacity. Added pressure comes from Washington and its allies, who are considering new sanctions on Moscow, potentially curbing Russian crude and diesel exports further.
On the demand side, U.S. government data confirmed a notable draw in crude inventories. The Energy Information Administration reported a decline, echoing earlier figures from the American Petroleum Institute that estimated a 3.8 million barrel drop for the week ending September 19. This tightening supply-demand balance provided fresh support for oil prices.
However, broader economic concerns limited gains. President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on key imports, including a 100% duty on branded pharmaceuticals, 25% on heavy-duty trucks, and 50% on kitchen cabinets. Analysts warned that higher costs in the transport sector could dampen diesel demand.
Additionally, stronger-than-expected U.S. GDP growth has added uncertainty around Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. With tighter monetary policy weighing on fuel consumption, traders are closely watching the upcoming release of the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, the PCE price index, for further signals.
At present, supply risks from Russia, coupled with U.S. inventory declines, continue to underpin bullish momentum, though trade tensions and monetary policy remain key headwinds.
