Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
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 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
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 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
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 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Oil prices continued to decline in Asian trading on Friday, hitting their lowest levels in five months as global markets reacted to geopolitical developments and growing concerns about oversupply. Brent crude futures slipped 0.2% to $60.95 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 0.2% to $57.36 per barrel by 21:14 ET (01:14 GMT). Both benchmarks were poised for a third consecutive weekly loss, falling between 2.5% and 2.9%.
The downturn came after U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to meet in Budapest to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. The announcement followed reports that Trump would also speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. While no date was set, the meeting marks the leaders’ second encounter since their August summit in Alaska. Analysts said progress toward a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire could pressure oil prices further, as it might lead to easing U.S. sanctions on Moscow and allow Russian oil exports to increase.
Adding to the bearish sentiment, U.S. data showed crude inventories rising by 3.5 million barrels last week, exceeding expectations and signaling weaker demand ahead of the winter season. Although gasoline and distillate stockpiles declined, the overall inventory build sparked concerns about slowing consumption.
Global demand worries were amplified by weak economic data from China and renewed trade tensions with the United States. The International Energy Agency (IEA) further dampened sentiment, forecasting a larger-than-expected supply surplus in 2026 and warning of deteriorating oil demand.
Oil prices briefly found support after Trump suggested India might halt Russian oil imports, but Indian officials offered little clarity. With geopolitical uncertainty, oversupply risks, and weakening demand, crude markets remain under pressure, suggesting further downside potential in the near term.
