France Faces Long Road to Economic Rebalancing as Weak Demand and High Rates Weigh, Says Citi 
100+ Global Companies Push Governments to Prioritize Electrification for Economic Growth 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oil Rebounds Amid Fed Rate Hike Fears 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Japan, U.S. Discuss Yen Weakness as Currency Intervention Concerns Grow 
Japan Manufacturing Growth Accelerates in June as Orders Surge Despite Iran War Cost Pressures 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Alphabet Slumps, Middle East Developments and Fed Outlook Weigh on Markets 
Yen Near 40-Year Lows Despite BOJ Rate Hike, Markets Brace for Possible Intervention 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Oil Prices Fall as Iran Peace Talks Progress, Hormuz Reopens, and U.S. SPR Hits 1983 Low 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
U.S.-Iran Diplomacy Helps Drive Gasoline Prices Down 15% From May Highs 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low; Gold Falls and Oil Mixed 
Yen Near 40-Year Low as USD/JPY Approaches Key 162 Level, Raising Intervention Concerns 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
New Zealand Fast-Tracks Gold Mining as Industry Revival Gains Momentum 
Oil prices climbed 1% on Monday, driven by positive manufacturing data from China, the world’s largest crude importer, fueling optimism for demand. However, concerns over potential U.S. tariffs added uncertainty to the global economic outlook.
Brent crude rose 76 cents (1%) to $73.57 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude increased 75 cents (1.1%) to $70.51. Gains followed official data showing China's manufacturing sector expanded at its fastest pace in three months, boosting investor confidence. Analysts are closely watching China’s annual parliamentary meeting on March 5 for potential economic support measures.
IG market analyst Tony Sycamore noted that China's manufacturing PMI returning to expansionary territory contributed to price gains. However, he warned that looming U.S. tariffs on Chinese exports, set to begin March 4, could weigh on the economic outlook. Goldman Sachs analysts maintained a cautiously optimistic stance, stating that early 2025 economic activity in China appears stable, though additional tariffs may prompt retaliatory actions.
Last month, Brent and WTI recorded their first monthly decline in three months due to fears over U.S. trade policies and their impact on global growth. Market sentiment improved after European leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a weekend summit. Meanwhile, ongoing attacks on Russian refineries, including a fire at a plant in Ufa, raised concerns over the country’s refined product exports.
For 2025, analysts project Brent crude to average $74.63 per barrel, balancing potential U.S. sanctions with ample supply and possible Russia-Ukraine peace talks. Separately, major oil firms in Kurdistan have yet to resume exports through Turkey, citing unresolved commercial agreements.
