Oil Prices Hold Steady as Markets Track Ukraine Peace Talks and U.S. Rate Decision 
Australian Dollar Rises as RBA Holds Rates and Signals Persistent Inflation Risks 
Global Markets Steady as Yen Holds Firm After Japan Earthquake Amid Central Bank Focus 
Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Australia’s Business Conditions Ease in November as Capacity Constraints Persist 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
Stocks Slip as Investors Brace for Fed Decision and JPMorgan Warning Weighs on Markets 
Silver Prices Surge to New Record Above $60 as Supply Concerns and Fed Expectations Boost Demand 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
U.S.-Indonesia Trade Deal Faces Uncertainty as Jakarta Reconsiders Key Commitments 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Decision; Aussie Dollar Edges Higher 
China Warns of Rising Global Risks as Tariff Pressures Intensify in 2025 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Oil prices held steady early Friday following a sharp rally in the previous session, fueled by easing U.S.-China trade tensions and a new trade agreement between the U.S. and the UK. Brent crude inched up 7 cents to $62.91 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 7 cents to trade at $59.98 as of 0121 GMT. This comes after Brent rose 2.8% and WTI jumped 3.2% on Thursday.
Investor sentiment improved as U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent prepares to meet China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng in Switzerland on May 10, aiming to resolve trade disputes that have threatened global crude oil demand. Simultaneously, U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a breakthrough trade deal, with the UK slashing tariffs on U.S. goods to 1.8% from 5.1%. The U.S., in turn, lowered duties on British car imports but retained a 10% tariff on most other goods.
Meanwhile, oil supply dynamics remain in focus. OPEC+ is expected to gradually boost output, though a Reuters survey shows April production dipped due to declines in Libya, Venezuela, and Iraq. These cuts offset scheduled increases, potentially limiting the downward pressure on prices.
Additionally, stricter U.S. sanctions on Iran could tighten global supply. Recent penalties against two Chinese refiners for purchasing Iranian crude have disrupted their operations, forcing them to offload oil under alternative labels, sources told Reuters.
While geopolitical developments support prices, rising supply from OPEC+ could cap gains in the near term. Traders are closely watching upcoming trade talks and sanctions enforcement for further market direction.
