Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
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 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Oil prices fell about 1% on Tuesday as traders weighed fading optimism over Russia-Ukraine peace talks against renewed concerns about global oversupply. Brent crude settled 1.14% lower at $62.45 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate dropped 1.15% to $58.64. The pullback followed gains of more than 1% for both benchmarks on Monday.
Market sentiment shifted as attention turned to diplomatic efforts in Moscow, where Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Analysts said expectations for a breakthrough that could ease restrictions on Russian oil exports initially supported prices, but confidence has since weakened. According to Clayton Seigle of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, any hopes for a quick resolution are likely premature, and geopolitical risks continue to threaten energy markets.
Oil traders also reacted to Putin’s sharp warnings to European powers, including threats to cut off Ukraine’s access to the sea following drone attacks on Russia’s “shadow fleet” in the Black Sea. At the same time, Putin is preparing for a visit to India to strengthen energy and defense ties, including potential expansions in Russian oil sales.
Phil Flynn of Price Futures Group noted that Russia’s mixed signals briefly boosted expectations for steady oil flows to India before Putin’s comments reignited concerns over stalled peace efforts.
Oversupply worries added further pressure, though they were partially offset by attacks on Russian infrastructure and rising tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela. Meanwhile, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium restarted shipments after a weekend drone strike, and a Russia-flagged tanker reported another attack near Turkey.
The U.S. API report showed crude, gasoline, and distillate stockpiles all rising in the week ended November 28, reinforcing fears of a growing supply glut. OPEC+ maintained its output targets for the first quarter of 2026, signaling caution as the group monitors potential market imbalances.
