Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Oil prices edged lower on Monday, pulling back from early gains after U.S. President Donald Trump urged other nations to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage responsible for approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and gas supply. Brent crude futures dipped 0.23% to $102.90 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped over 1% to $97.64 per barrel, despite both benchmarks surging more than 40% this month alone — their highest levels since 2022.
The dramatic price spike was triggered by U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran, which prompted Tehran to shut down shipping through the Strait of Hormuz in what analysts are calling the most significant oil supply disruption in history. Trump confirmed that Washington is actively negotiating with multiple nations to establish a policing presence in the strait, while also maintaining contact with Iran — though he expressed skepticism over Tehran's willingness to engage in meaningful peace talks.
Tensions escalated further over the weekend when Trump threatened additional strikes on Iran's Kharg Island, which processes roughly 90% of the country's oil exports. In response, Iranian drones struck a major oil terminal in Fujairah, UAE — a key outlet handling around one million barrels per day of Murban crude. While loading operations at Fujairah have since resumed, full recovery remains uncertain.
To counter soaring energy prices, the International Energy Agency announced a record release of over 400 million barrels from global strategic reserves, with Asian stocks flowing immediately and Western reserves available by late March. Meanwhile, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright expressed optimism that the conflict could conclude within weeks, forecasting a rebound in oil supplies and a subsequent decline in energy costs.
Market analysts continue to warn of escalating risks, citing potential ground operations, nuclear site raids, and prolonged instability as key threats to global oil stability.
