Asian Stocks Slip as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Lift Oil, Dollar Strength Persists 
Gold Price Falls as Fed Rate Hike Fears and U.S.-Iran Tensions Weigh on Bullion 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
RBA Minutes Signal Australia Central Bank Remains Ready to Raise Interest Rates if Inflation Persists 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
Trump Questions Housing Bill as He Prioritizes SAVE America Act 
Dollar Slips Ahead of Key U.S. Jobs Data as Fed Rate Outlook, ECB, and Iran Talks Shape Forex Markets 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Trump Suspends Some Morocco Fertilizer Tariffs to Ease U.S. Supply Shortage 
World Bank Approves $1.1 Billion Emergency Funding for Bangladesh Amid Food and Energy Price Pressures 
China Factory PMI Seen Returning to Growth in June as AI Export Demand Supports Economy 
Trump Urges Gasoline Retailers to Cut Prices to $2.50 Per Gallon, Warns of Legal Action 
Yen Falls to 40-Year Low as Markets Watch Japan Intervention and U.S. Jobs Report 
Gold Price Hits Annual Low as Fed Rate Hike Bets and Sticky Inflation Weigh on Bullion 
Gold Prices Drop as Fed Rate Outlook and Iran Tensions Weigh on Market 
Oil prices retreated in Asian trading on Tuesday after early gains faded, driven by reports that U.S. President Donald Trump was weighing an end to military operations against Iran. However, losses remained modest as concerns over the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz continued to support crude markets.
Brent crude futures dropped 1.1% to $111.58 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate fell 0.9% to $102.02 per barrel as of 22:19 ET. Earlier in the session, prices had surged nearly 4% following news that Iran struck a Kuwaiti oil tanker near Dubai's port, underscoring ongoing supply risks in the region.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, Trump indicated to aides that he is willing to wind down the U.S. military campaign against Iran without securing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Officials reportedly concluded that reopening the critical waterway would require far more time than the initial four-to-six week operational window. Instead, Washington plans to pursue diplomatic pressure on Tehran and may enlist European and Gulf allies to lead efforts in restoring passage through the strait.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global energy markets, accounting for roughly 20% of the world's oil supply. Its continued blockade has rattled traders and pushed Brent and WTI futures to gains of over 50% in March alone, marking one of the strongest monthly rallies on record.
The conflict has disrupted oil production and shipments across multiple Gulf nations, while mixed signals over U.S.-Iran negotiations have added further uncertainty. With Trump setting an early-April ceasefire deadline, Yemen's Houthi group entering the conflict, and Pakistan offering to host peace talks, market volatility is expected to persist as geopolitical tensions remain elevated.
