South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
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 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Oil prices inched higher in Asian trading Thursday after hitting a two-month low, as investors weighed U.S. crude stock data and new tariff threats from former President Donald Trump.
Brent crude futures rose 0.3% to $72.77 per barrel, while WTI crude gained 0.4% to $68.53. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a surprise 2.3-million-barrel decline in crude inventories for the week ending February 21, defying forecasts of a 2.6-million-barrel build. Meanwhile, refinery activity increased, with inputs rising by 317,000 barrels per day and utilization reaching 86.5%.
Despite the crude draw, refined product stockpiles swelled. Gasoline inventories grew by 400,000 barrels to 248.3 million, while distillate stocks jumped by 3.9 million barrels to 120.5 million, indicating softer demand for fuel.
Market volatility also stems from Trump's policy decisions. His administration revoked Chevron’s license to operate in Venezuela, disrupting the export of 240,000 barrels per day, over 25% of the country’s oil production. The move contributed to price gains, reflecting concerns over tighter global supply.
Additionally, Trump reaffirmed plans for tariffs on energy imports, proposing a 10% duty on Canadian oil and 25% on Mexican imports, alongside potential European trade levies. These threats have fueled uncertainty in the oil markets. However, speculation about peace talks between Russia and Ukraine has put downward pressure on prices, as an agreement could boost Russian oil exports.
With geopolitical risks, shifting inventories, and evolving trade policies, oil prices remain volatile, keeping investors cautious.
