US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Singapore GDP Grows 5.7% in Q2 2026 as AI-Driven Manufacturing Boosts Economy 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Dollar Eases as Middle East Conflict, Fed Outlook and Japan Pension Policy Drive FX Markets 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Oil prices remained just below a nearly seven-month high on Tuesday as investors closely monitored renewed U.S.-Iran nuclear talks and ongoing uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy. Heightened Middle East tensions and shifting tariff signals from Washington continue to drive volatility across global energy markets.
Brent crude futures slipped 9 cents, or 0.1%, to $71.40 per barrel by 0120 GMT. The benchmark had climbed to $72.50 on Monday, its highest level since July 31, before swinging sharply amid fluctuating sentiment. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 11 cents, or 0.2%, to $66.20 per barrel, after touching $67.28 in the previous session, the strongest level since early August.
Market analysts say crude oil prices remain highly sensitive to geopolitical developments. A third round of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations is scheduled for Thursday in Geneva, according to Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi. The United States is pushing Iran to abandon its nuclear program, while Tehran continues to deny pursuing nuclear weapons and has refused to concede to U.S. demands.
Concerns about a potential military escalation have intensified after the U.S. State Department ordered the withdrawal of non-essential personnel and families from its embassy in Beirut. President Donald Trump warned that Iran would face serious consequences if a new deal is not reached.
At the same time, uncertainty over U.S. trade policy is weighing on investor sentiment. After the Supreme Court struck down emergency tariffs, Trump signaled he could impose higher duties under alternative trade laws, including raising temporary import tariffs to 15%.
Meanwhile, geopolitical risks extended to Eastern Europe, where Ukrainian drones reportedly struck a Russian pumping station linked to the Druzhba oil pipeline, a key supply route to Eastern Europe.
With crude oil trading near the top of its six-month range, analysts suggest that sustained geopolitical tensions could push prices toward the $70–$72 range, while signs of de-escalation may trigger a pullback toward $61 per barrel.
