Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Oil prices climbed for a second straight session on Tuesday as traders evaluated escalating geopolitical risks, including Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian energy facilities and growing friction between the U.S. and Venezuela. Brent crude futures edged up 0.2% to $63.31 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) increased 0.3% to $59.50. Both benchmarks had already gained more than 1% on Monday, supported by concerns over potential disruptions to global oil supply.
The Caspian Pipeline Consortium confirmed it has restarted shipments through one of its Black Sea terminal mooring points following a significant drone attack on November 29. According to Russia’s Kommersant newspaper, operations resumed at Single Point Mooring 1, though SPM 2 remains damaged. Market analysts at Ritterbusch and Associates noted that ongoing military activity reduces the likelihood of a near-term peace agreement and could tighten diesel and gasoil markets, potentially boosting overall crude prices.
On the diplomatic front, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reiterated that Kyiv’s main priorities are safeguarding sovereignty and securing reliable security guarantees, adding that territorial issues remain the most challenging obstacles. Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to brief the Kremlin on Tuesday as tensions continue to rise.
Concerns over supply constraints were amplified by ANZ, which highlighted growing uncertainty surrounding Venezuelan oil exports amid an expanding U.S. campaign. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump signaled a tougher stance, stating that Venezuelan airspace should be considered “closed in its entirety,” though he offered no specifics.
Adding another layer to the market outlook, OPEC+ confirmed a modest production increase for December but will pause further hikes in the first quarter of next year due to fears of oversupply. Ritterbusch analysts suggested that despite recent price gains, weakening global balances could still push WTI and Brent toward $55 and $59 respectively.
This combination of geopolitical tension, supply risks, and shifting OPEC+ policy continues to shape a volatile but closely watched oil market.
