RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Oil prices held steady on Monday as markets weighed new EU sanctions on Russian crude, increased Middle East production, and global economic worries linked to rising tariffs. Brent crude edged up 5 cents to $69.33 a barrel by 0040 GMT, following a 0.35% rise on Friday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 2 cents to $67.36, after a 0.30% uptick in the previous session.
The European Union approved its 18th round of sanctions against Russia over the ongoing Ukraine conflict, targeting Indian refiner Nayara Energy, which exports oil products made from Russian crude. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed the sanctions’ impact, claiming Russia had developed resistance. Rosneft, Russia’s largest oil company and a stakeholder in Nayara, denounced the move as unjust and harmful to India’s energy security.
Meanwhile, geopolitical attention is turning to Iran, another major oil producer under sanctions. Tehran plans to resume nuclear talks with Britain, France, and Germany in Istanbul on Friday. The negotiations come amid European threats to reimpose broader international sanctions if no diplomatic progress is made.
In the U.S., energy data showed a slight decline in oil activity. Baker Hughes reported the number of active oil rigs dropped by two to 422 last week—the lowest level since September 2021—potentially signaling tightening domestic supply.
Global trade tensions are also in focus. New U.S. tariffs on European imports are scheduled to begin August 1. However, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressed optimism about reaching a trade agreement with the EU before the deadline.
Traders continue to monitor these geopolitical and economic developments, with oil markets showing minimal movement as competing forces balance out.
