Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Oil prices extended their rally for a second consecutive day on Wednesday as signs of tightening supply supported the market. Brent crude futures inched up 27 cents to trade at $67.90 per barrel by 0005 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures gained 28 cents to $63.69. Both benchmarks had climbed more than $1 per barrel on Tuesday, driven by stalled negotiations over resuming exports from Iraq’s Kurdistan region.
Talks between Iraq’s federal government, the Kurdish regional government, and international oil companies aimed at restarting pipeline shipments to Turkey have hit a roadblock. The proposed deal would have allowed around 230,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude exports to resume. However, demands for debt repayment guarantees have delayed progress, leaving pipeline flows halted since March 2023.
Further supporting prices, data from the American Petroleum Institute (API) revealed that U.S. crude and gasoline inventories dropped last week, while distillate stockpiles increased. According to market sources, crude stocks fell by 3.82 million barrels in the week ending September 19, with gasoline inventories declining by 1.05 million barrels. Distillates, however, posted a rise of 518,000 barrels. Traders are now awaiting official U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data, which is expected to show increases in both crude and gasoline supplies, alongside a fall in distillates.
Concerns over supply are further amplified by restrictions in Venezuela. Chevron, a major U.S. oil company, will reportedly be able to export only about half of the 240,000 bpd it produces in partnership with state-run entities. Although the company secured authorization in July to continue operations in the sanctioned nation, new regulatory limits mean less Venezuelan heavy, high-sulphur crude will reach the U.S.
With shrinking inventories, delayed Iraqi exports, and constrained Venezuelan shipments, the global oil market faces renewed upward pressure, fueling expectations of tighter supply in the months ahead.
