US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Asian Stocks Slide as Nikkei Leads Losses on Tech Selloff and Rising U.S.-Iran Tensions 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Oil prices held firm at over one-month highs in Asian trading Tuesday, driven by rising geopolitical tensions. U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to bomb Iran if it refuses a new nuclear deal escalated risks in the Middle East, adding a premium to crude prices. The threat drew sharp retaliation warnings from Iranian officials, compounding fears of potential supply disruptions.
Brent crude futures for June hovered at $74.75 per barrel, while WTI crude dipped 0.2% to $70.95. The market also remains cautious amid stalled Russia-Ukraine peace talks, with Trump warning of additional sanctions on Moscow’s oil exports if a deal isn’t reached. Reports of Russia drafting more troops added to instability fears.
Fresh strikes by Israel on Beirut, following the collapse of a ceasefire with Hamas, further fueled anxiety over regional oil supply security. As traders brace for potential escalation, oil markets have priced in higher risk premiums.
However, gains are capped by concerns over weakening demand. Trump’s plans to introduce new reciprocal tariffs, expected Wednesday, threaten to disrupt global trade. Analysts warn the proposed higher, broader tariffs—with fewer exemptions—could slow economic growth and curb energy consumption.
These trade tensions have sparked fears of a looming U.S. recession, with Goldman Sachs recently raising its recession forecast. Market sentiment remains cautious, as recessionary risks could dampen oil demand in the near term.
Despite geopolitical turmoil boosting prices, the looming threat of tariffs and economic slowdown continues to weigh on long-term oil market outlook. Traders now await Trump’s tariff announcement for clearer direction on demand risks.
