Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Oil prices climbed on Monday as global markets reacted to renewed geopolitical developments, including discussions between the United States and Ukraine on a possible end to the war, alongside persistent tensions in the Middle East that could threaten energy supplies. Investors balanced optimism around diplomacy with concerns that unresolved conflicts may continue to disrupt oil markets.
Brent crude futures increased by 67 cents, or 1.1%, reaching $61.31 per barrel in early trading, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 65 cents, or 1.15%, to trade at $57.39. The rebound followed a sharp decline on Friday, when both benchmarks fell more than 2% amid fears of a global oil supply glut and expectations that progress toward peace in Ukraine could ease supply risks.
Market attention remained focused on comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said over the weekend that negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy were moving closer to an agreement to end the conflict. Speaking after a meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump noted that while discussions were advancing, the disputed Donbas region remained a major obstacle, and it could take several weeks to determine whether talks would succeed.
Analysts cautioned that a swift breakthrough remains unlikely. According to energy researchers, the lack of agreement on territorial issues suggests the Russia–Ukraine peace process may stay deadlocked, limiting any immediate impact on global oil supply. Meanwhile, ongoing attacks on energy infrastructure by both Russia and Ukraine over the weekend reinforced concerns about continued disruptions.
Beyond Eastern Europe, heightened instability in the Middle East also supported oil prices. Recent Saudi air strikes in Yemen and statements from Iran describing a “full-scale war” with the U.S., Europe, and Israel have raised fears of broader regional conflict and potential supply interruptions. Additional factors influencing prices include U.S. enforcement actions against Venezuelan oil shipments and the fallout from U.S. military strikes targeting ISIS in Nigeria, a key oil-producing nation.
Looking ahead, analysts expect WTI crude to trade within a $55 to $60 range, as traders closely monitor geopolitical risks, enforcement actions, and global supply-demand dynamics that continue to shape the energy market.
