Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Dollar Rises as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation and Rate Hike Fears 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
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 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
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 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Oil prices eased slightly during Asian trading on Wednesday after posting strong gains for three consecutive sessions. Investors continued to monitor the ongoing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz while also assessing the latest U.S. crude inventory data and inflation figures.
Brent crude futures for July delivery declined 0.4% to $107.36 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures slipped 0.3% to $101.91 per barrel. Despite the minor pullback, both benchmark contracts surged more than 3% in the previous trading session amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Market sentiment remains heavily influenced by uncertainty surrounding the Iran conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump recently stated that the possibility of a ceasefire with Iran was on “life support,” rejecting Tehran’s latest response to U.S.-supported peace proposals. These comments intensified concerns that the conflict could continue for an extended period, further threatening global oil supplies.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route responsible for transporting nearly 20% of global oil consumption, remains severely restricted after Iran tightened maritime controls earlier this year. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the route may stay effectively closed through late May, potentially causing a deeper decline in global oil inventories.
The EIA now forecasts global stockpiles could shrink by 2.6 million barrels per day in 2026, while Brent crude prices may average around $106 per barrel during May and June. Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser also warned that oil market disruptions linked to Hormuz could continue affecting supply stability until 2027.
Meanwhile, data from the American Petroleum Institute showed U.S. crude inventories fell by 2.188 million barrels last week, marking the fourth consecutive weekly decline and supporting higher oil prices.
Investors are also closely watching upcoming talks between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where discussions are expected to include energy security, trade tariffs, and the ongoing Iran crisis.
