Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Oil Prices Rise Amid Shrinking U.S. Inventories
Oil prices rebounded on Thursday in Asian trade, recovering from recent steep losses. The rise followed industry data showing an unexpected drop in U.S. oil inventories, boosting market sentiment.
Brent crude for December delivery gained 0.6% to $74.67 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 0.6% to $70.27 per barrel at 01:02 GMT.
Middle East Tensions and China's Stimulus in Focus
Oil markets remain on edge due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, particularly concerns about Israel's retaliation against Iran. However, reports indicate that Israel may avoid targeting Iran’s oil and nuclear infrastructure, easing fears of a severe conflict escalation.
Additionally, oil prices continue to be affected by weak demand signals from China, the world’s top oil importer. Despite recent fiscal stimulus announcements, Beijing has yet to provide clear details on the scale and timing of these measures.
U.S. Inventory Shrinks, Supporting Oil Prices
The American Petroleum Institute (API) reported a surprising 1.58 million barrel draw in U.S. oil inventories for the week ending October 11, contrary to expectations of a 3.2 million barrel increase. This data raises hopes for tightening U.S. supplies, despite previous weeks of substantial inventory builds.
The API report usually foreshadows the official U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) inventory data, due later on Thursday.
Demand Fears Persist
Despite Thursday’s recovery, oil prices remain under pressure. Over the past week, both Brent and WTI crude have fallen by 5-6.5% due to weak global demand forecasts. Both the International Energy Agency (IEA) and OPEC have downgraded their projections, citing slowing demand in China as a key concern.
