Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Oil prices plunged in Asian trading Monday after OPEC+ surprised markets with a larger-than-expected production increase, raising concerns of a looming supply glut amid weakening global demand.
Brent crude futures for June dropped 3.6% to $59.10 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 3.7% to $55.68. The decline puts oil near the four-year lows seen in early April, compounding losses already sustained in 2025.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) announced over the weekend a 411,000 barrels per day (bpd) output increase starting in June—nearly triple the volume initially expected. Saudi Arabia and Russia, two of the group’s largest producers, are set to lead the ramp-up, fueling fears of oversupply despite ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
The market largely brushed off fresh threats from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toward Iran, focusing instead on the bearish fundamentals of rising supply and sluggish demand.
Oil has already been under pressure this year due to macroeconomic uncertainty and escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China. President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff strategy—especially the imposition of 145% tariffs on Chinese oil imports—triggered retaliatory measures from Beijing, including 125% duties, further destabilizing trade flows and dampening demand expectations.
Even as Washington and Beijing expressed limited interest in renewed trade talks last week, market sentiment remained cautious. Analysts warn that Trump’s protectionist policies could stall global economic growth, reducing energy consumption and extending oil’s bearish streak.
With rising output and slowing demand, the oil market appears increasingly vulnerable to further downside. Traders are now closely watching for additional policy shifts or signs of demand recovery before reassessing oil’s trajectory.
