Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
S&P 500 Rises as AI Stocks and Small Caps Rally on Strong Earnings Outlook 
Indian Rupee Strengthens Sharply After U.S.-India Trade Deal Announcement 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
Gold, Silver, and Platinum Rally as Precious Metals Recover from Sharp Selloff 
Japan Finance Minister Defends PM Takaichi’s Remarks on Weak Yen Benefits 
Dollar Holds Firm as Markets Weigh Warsh-Led Fed and Yen Weakness Ahead of Japan Election 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
Japan Election Poll Signals Landslide Win for Sanae Takaichi, Raising Fiscal Policy Concerns 
Oil prices continued their upward momentum on Tuesday, supported by optimism over global trade developments and heightened geopolitical tensions. Brent crude futures climbed 0.34% to $70.28 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 0.33% to $66.93 per barrel as of 0000 GMT. Both benchmarks gained over 2% in the previous session, with Brent hitting its highest level since mid-July.
The recent U.S.-EU trade agreement eased fears of a wider trade conflict, imposing a 15% import tariff on most European goods but avoiding a full-scale trade war. Analysts noted this outcome helped stabilize market sentiment and supported expectations for stronger fuel demand.
Adding to the bullish tone, the United States and China signaled potential progress in their tariff truce. Senior economic officials from both nations met in Stockholm for more than five hours on Monday, with talks scheduled to continue Tuesday. Investors are closely watching whether extended negotiations could reduce trade tensions and boost global energy consumption.
Geopolitical risk also drove prices higher after U.S. President Donald Trump issued a fresh deadline for Russia to advance peace efforts in Ukraine. Trump warned that sanctions on Moscow and buyers of Russian oil could follow if no progress is made within “10 or 12 days.”
Market analysts, including ANZ’s Daniel Hynes, highlighted that fears of tighter Russian oil supplies were amplified by the EU’s latest sanctions, which include a lower price cap on Russian crude and restrictions on refined products processed from Moscow’s oil abroad.
Oil traders remain focused on upcoming trade talks and potential sanctions, factors likely to shape near-term market direction amid improving economic activity and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.
