South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
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Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
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 
Oil prices held firm near one-month highs on Friday, eyeing a third straight weekly gain, driven by tightening global supply concerns. U.S. sanctions and tariffs targeting oil exports from Venezuela and Iran have injected fresh volatility into global energy markets.
Brent crude futures edged down 8 cents to $73.95 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude also slipped 8 cents to $69.84. Despite the minor dip, both benchmarks have climbed over 2% this week, supported by growing supply constraints and signs of stronger U.S. demand.
The U.S. recently imposed 25% tariffs on countries purchasing Venezuelan crude, days after extending sanctions on Iran, particularly affecting China's oil imports. The move prompted top Venezuelan crude buyer China to pause purchases. India’s Reliance Industries, which runs the world’s largest refinery, is also reportedly halting Venezuelan imports.
Supply-side pressure was further intensified by a larger-than-expected drop in U.S. crude inventories. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a 3.3 million barrel drawdown last week, reducing stockpiles to 433.6 million barrels. Analysts had forecasted a modest 956,000-barrel decline.
While tightening supply and improved U.S. demand support bullish momentum, market sentiment remains cautious. Analysts warn that escalating U.S. trade measures could trigger economic slowdowns, potentially weighing on global oil demand and capping long-term price gains.
The combination of geopolitical tensions, reduced supply from sanctioned nations, and shifting trade dynamics has created a complex and uncertain outlook for oil markets. Investors are closely watching further policy moves and global economic indicators to gauge where prices may head next.
