Japan, U.S. Discuss Yen Weakness as Currency Intervention Concerns Grow 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oil Rebounds Amid Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
US Stock Futures Recover as Iran Signals Progress in Peace Talks 
Gold Prices Mixed as Stronger Dollar Offsets Safe-Haven Demand Amid U.S.-Iran Peace Talks 
Russian Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low 
New Zealand Fast-Tracks Gold Mining as Industry Revival Gains Momentum 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Supply Concerns 
France Faces Long Road to Economic Rebalancing as Weak Demand and High Rates Weigh, Says Citi 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
US Dollar Hits One-Year High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Overshadows Middle East Developments 
Oil Prices Fall as Iran Peace Talks Progress, Hormuz Reopens, and U.S. SPR Hits 1983 Low 
Yen Near 40-Year Low as USD/JPY Approaches Key 162 Level, Raising Intervention Concerns 
U.S.-Iran Diplomacy Helps Drive Gasoline Prices Down 15% From May Highs 
Japan Manufacturing Growth Accelerates in June as Orders Surge Despite Iran War Cost Pressures 
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.
