Asian Stocks Surge to Record Highs as Wall Street Rally Offsets Oil Price Concerns 
Paraguay Holds Interest Rate at 5.5% as Inflation Remains Stable Amid Global Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Tensions and Ceasefire Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
U.S. Freezes Dollar Transfers to Iraq, Pressures Government Over Iran-Backed Militias 
U.S. Stock Futures Hold Steady as Investors Monitor Iran Tensions and Key Economic Events 
Asian Stocks Mixed as Tech Shares Decline While Japan’s Nikkei Hits Record High 
Gold Prices Edge Higher Amid Middle East Tensions and Ceasefire Uncertainty 
Asian Currencies Stay Range-Bound as Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of Fed Nominee Hearing 
New Zealand Labour Backs India Free Trade Deal, Boosting Chances of Parliamentary Approval 
Bank of Japan Signals Potential Rate Hike as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Shock 
Nikkei Retreats After Brief 60,000 Break as Profit-Taking and Geopolitical Risks Weigh 
Iran Tightens Grip on Strait of Hormuz as Oil Prices Surge 
Gold Prices Slip Amid Iran Tensions and Fed Chair Uncertainty 
Indian Cotton Yarn Exports Surge as China Demand Rises Amid Global Supply Disruptions 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Trump Extends Iran Ceasefire, Easing Market Tensions 
Japan Exports Surge for Seventh Month as AI Demand Offsets Middle East Trade Disruptions 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S.-Iran Tensions and Strait of Hormuz Disruptions Persist 
Oil prices held steady on Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate as expected and signaled more reductions later this year. Brent crude slipped 0.12% to $67.87 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 0.16% to $63.95.
The Fed lowered its policy rate by a quarter percentage point on Wednesday, highlighting concerns over a weakening labor market. Analysts suggest cheaper borrowing costs could stimulate economic activity, lifting oil demand. According to Rystad Energy’s chief economist Claudio Galimberti, Brent may see support from further Fed cuts despite bearish pressure from OPEC+ increasing supply.
On the supply side, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data showed crude inventories dropped sharply last week, with net imports at record lows and exports hitting a two-year high. However, distillate stocks rose by 4 million barrels—far exceeding the expected 1 million increase—raising concerns about demand in the world’s largest oil consumer.
Global oil demand averaged 104.4 million barrels per day through September 17, according to JP Morgan, marking a year-on-year rise of 0.52 million barrels. Year-to-date demand growth stands at 0.8 million barrels, nearly in line with the bank’s forecast of 0.83 million. The bank noted easing flight activity in the U.S. and China after the peak travel season, offset by growing demand in Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America.
Overall, while OPEC+ supply growth may pressure prices, the Fed’s accommodative policy stance and resilient global demand suggest underlying support for oil markets in the months ahead.
