Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
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.
