Asian Stocks Surge on Trump's Iran War Comments and Dip-Buying 
Canada's Economy Grows Modestly in January 2025, Driven by Energy and Construction 
Dollar Surges to Monthly High as Middle East Conflict Rattles Global Markets 
RBC Capital: European Medtech Firms Show Minimal Middle East and Energy Risk Exposure 
South Korea's Exports Hit Record High in March on AI-Driven Chip Demand 
Gold Prices Rebound in Asia Amid Iran War Ceasefire Hopes 
China Manufacturing PMI Hits 12-Month High Amid Energy Price Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Surge After WSJ Report on Trump's Iran War Exit Strategy 
Asian Stocks Mixed in March 2026 Amid Iran War Fears and Tech Selloff 
Oil Prices Hold Near Multi-Year Highs Amid Iran Conflict and Hormuz Supply Fears 
Australia Bans Card Payment Surcharges Starting October 2025 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady Amid U.S.-Israel-Iran Tensions and BOJ Signals 
South Korea's $17.3 Billion Emergency Budget Targets Oil Price Surge 
Aluminum Prices Surge Toward Four-Year Highs After Gulf Smelter Strikes 
Japan Business Sentiment Rises as Iran War Fuels Inflation Fears, BOJ Rate Hike Looms 
WTO Ministerial Collapse Leaves Global Digital Trade Rules in Limbo 
Dollar Surges to Nine-Month High as Middle East Tensions Drive Safe-Haven Demand 
Oil Prices Bounce Back as Middle East Concerns and U.S. Elections Loom
Oil prices saw an uptick in early Asian trade on Tuesday after significant losses on Monday due to eased concerns over an escalating Middle East conflict. Brent crude futures for December gained 0.7% to reach $71.94 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude futures similarly rose 0.7%, hitting $67.87 per barrel at 00:17 GMT.
The recent downturn followed an Israeli strike over the weekend, which notably avoided Iranian oil and nuclear assets. This limited fear of a severe escalation in regional conflict and led traders to reduce the previously high-risk premium in oil prices.
Middle East Tensions and Retaliation Threats
Despite Monday's market reaction, tension in the Middle East remains high. After Israel’s retaliatory strike in response to Iran’s October attack, Tehran threatened potential retaliation, keeping supply risk alive. Israel has signaled no intent to ease military actions against groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, reducing prospects for a truce.
Upcoming U.S. Election and Economic Data Impact
Market sentiment remains volatile ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election, with traders closely monitoring the race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. A potential Trump victory is expected to lead to inflationary policies, which could impact global oil markets.
Adding to the uncertainty, upcoming economic indicators from China and the U.S. – including the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), U.S. GDP, and the PCE Price Index – will provide further insight into oil demand trends.
