Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
Oil prices held steady early Wednesday as uncertainty over escalating U.S.-China trade tensions and their potential impact on global economic growth kept markets cautious. Brent crude futures edged up 5 cents to $64.72 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 3 cents to $61.36. Both benchmarks fell 0.3% the previous day.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecast the slowest global oil demand growth in five years, citing rising U.S. tariffs and retaliatory measures from trade partners. The IEA now expects global demand to rise by only 730,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2025—down from last month’s estimate of 1.03 million bpd. This revision follows a similar cut by OPEC on Monday.
Market analysts note that unless stock markets recover from tariff-related pressures, crude prices may remain subdued. Tetsu Emori, CEO of Emori Fund Management, said a rebound could push WTI above $65, but without that support, prices may linger in the low $60s.
The trade war between the U.S. and China is already weighing on the energy market. President Trump’s steep tariffs on Chinese imports—now reaching 145%—have triggered swift retaliatory moves from Beijing, including halting new Boeing aircraft orders. Fears of a broader global recession are mounting.
Oil prices have dropped about 13% this month due to rising supply from OPEC+ and weaker demand forecasts. Major banks like UBS, HSBC, and BNP Paribas have cut their crude price outlooks accordingly.
Meanwhile, U.S. crude inventories rose by 2.4 million barrels last week, according to the American Petroleum Institute, while gasoline and distillate stocks fell by 3 million and 3.2 million barrels, respectively, reflecting shifting supply dynamics.
