Dollar Holds Firm as Strong U.S. Data, Fed Expectations and Global Central Bank Moves Shape Markets 
Gold and Asian Stocks Rebound as Market Volatility Eases and Global Sentiment Improves 
Oil Prices Steady as Markets Weigh U.S.-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength Caps Gains 
JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
Trump Announces U.S.–India Trade Deal Cutting Tariffs, Boosting Markets and Energy Ties 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
Dollar Holds Firm as Markets Weigh Warsh-Led Fed and Yen Weakness Ahead of Japan Election 
Japan Finance Minister Defends PM Takaichi’s Remarks on Weak Yen Benefits 
South Korea Inflation Hits Five-Month Low as CPI Reaches Central Bank Target 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
Oil prices held steady in Asian trading on Friday, following sharp gains driven by drone strikes on Iraqi oil fields and signs of tightening global supply. Brent crude futures for September remained unchanged at $69.51 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude stayed flat at $67.51.
Despite rising over 1.5% on Thursday, oil benchmarks were still on track for weekly losses exceeding 1%, pressured by geopolitical developments. U.S. President Donald Trump eased sanctions threats against Russia, granting a 50-day deadline to end the Ukraine conflict, which trimmed bullish momentum seen earlier in the week.
Supply concerns resurfaced as drone attacks, reportedly launched by Iran-backed militias, disrupted about half of Iraqi Kurdistan’s crude output. However, Iraq’s federal government announced progress in talks with the Kurdistan Regional Government, signaling a potential resumption of oil exports to Turkey after a two-year pause.
Further support came from the latest U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data, which showed crude inventories fell by 3.9 million barrels last week—more than double analysts’ expectations. This decline underscores tightening conditions amid high summer demand.
OPEC maintained its oil demand forecasts for 2025 and 2026, citing optimism that global trade tensions may ease. Last week, oil prices climbed nearly 3% as the International Energy Agency (IEA) pointed to a tight prompt market, even as OPEC+ output exceeded expectations.
While rising output typically signals easing prices, the IEA warned that increasing refinery activity to meet seasonal demand could mask the true extent of supply constraints. This dynamic, combined with ongoing geopolitical risks, continues to support oil prices despite recent volatility.
