Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
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 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Oil prices edged higher on Thursday, breaking a three-day losing streak and rebounding from 16-week lows, as investors weighed the possibility of tighter sanctions on Russian crude. However, optimism was capped by expectations of increased supply from an OPEC+ output boost starting next month.
Brent crude futures rose 15 cents, or 0.2%, to $65.50 a barrel by 0116 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 14 cents, or 0.2%, to $61.92 a barrel. Both benchmarks had dropped about 1% on Wednesday, with Brent closing at its lowest level since June 5 and WTI since May 30.
Analysts noted that buying interest resurfaced as WTI approached the $60 support level. Hiroyuki Kikukawa, chief strategist at Nissan Securities Investment, said geopolitical tensions and speculation over stricter restrictions on Russian oil flows provided some support.
The Group of Seven (G7) finance ministers announced plans to intensify pressure on Russia by targeting buyers of Russian crude and entities aiding in sanctions evasion. Adding to this, the U.S. is set to provide Ukraine with intelligence to aid long-range missile strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, potentially disrupting refineries and pipelines critical to Moscow’s oil revenues, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Despite these bullish factors, broader concerns weighed on markets. Fears of a U.S. government shutdown raised worries over global economic growth. Meanwhile, OPEC+ may agree to boost oil production by up to 500,000 barrels per day in November, triple the increase set for October, as Saudi Arabia seeks to recapture market share. This comes at a time when both U.S. and Asian demand show signs of slowing.
On the supply front, U.S. crude inventories increased by 1.8 million barrels last week to 416.5 million, above market expectations of a 1 million-barrel rise, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Gasoline and distillate stockpiles also grew as refining activity weakened, signaling softer demand.
The oil market remains caught between geopolitical risks that could tighten supply and the reality of growing inventories and potential OPEC+ output increases that may pressure prices further.
