Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Oil prices climbed in Asian trading Tuesday after the U.S. imposed fresh sanctions targeting Iran’s oil sector, raising concerns over potential supply disruptions.
Brent crude futures rose 0.6% to $75.19 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 0.7% to $70.92.
The U.S. Treasury Department’s latest sanctions target over 30 entities and individuals involved in Iran’s oil supply chain, including brokers and tanker operators in the UAE, Hong Kong, and China. This move intensifies Washington’s pressure on Tehran, aiming to curb its petroleum exports, particularly to major buyer China. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned of severe sanctions risks for those dealing in Iranian oil.
Oil markets reacted with modest gains as investors weighed the impact of these restrictions on global supply. However, uncertainty lingers as geopolitical shifts may counteract bullish sentiment.
Possible cease-fire agreements between Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas could ease supply concerns, offsetting price gains. Meanwhile, OPEC+ is reportedly reconsidering plans to ramp up production due to weak demand and growing non-OPEC supply. Originally set for April 2025, production hikes have been repeatedly delayed, supporting prices.
Despite these factors, analysts project the global oil market to return to surplus next year, potentially driving prices lower. Additionally, the resumption of Iraqi oil exports from the Kurdish region may further influence market dynamics.
With heightened geopolitical tensions and shifting supply-demand forces, the oil market remains volatile, keeping investors on edge.
