ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Stocks Slip as Investors Brace for Fed Decision and JPMorgan Warning Weighs on Markets 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Global Forex Markets Brace for Fed Decision as Yen Extends Weakness 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
U.S. Open to Special Trade Terms for South Africa Under Possible AGOA Extension 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Oil prices edged higher in Asian trading Friday, supported by renewed hopes for China-U.S. trade talks that may ease tensions between the world’s top two oil consumers. Brent crude futures rose 0.8% to $62.62 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 0.9% to $59.19 by 02:11 GMT. However, both benchmarks remain down between 5% and 7% for the week, marking a second straight week of losses amid ongoing demand concerns.
China's commerce ministry signaled openness to resuming trade negotiations, stressing that any talks must be sincere and contingent on the removal of U.S. tariffs. This followed reports of outreach from U.S. officials and growing signs of Washington’s willingness to deescalate the trade dispute. The prolonged trade war had previously weighed heavily on crude prices, with mutual tariffs exceeding 100% and raising fears of reduced global oil demand.
Further pressuring the market, weak economic indicators from both the U.S. and China this week fueled concerns over slowing growth and energy consumption. Analysts remain cautious ahead of the upcoming OPEC+ meeting on May 5, where the group is expected to announce production hikes. Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s key member, has reportedly indicated reluctance to maintain deeper supply cuts, while several member nations plan to increase output from June.
Despite bearish signals, U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of secondary sanctions on Iranian oil buyers and new sanctions on Tehran offered temporary support to prices. These geopolitical developments, coupled with the OPEC+ decision and trade negotiation progress, will be key drivers for oil markets in the near term.
