U.S. Futures Dip as Fed Hawkishness and Middle East Tensions Rattle Markets 
Yen Slides Near Two-Year Low as Fed Holds Rates Amid Middle East Tensions 
S&P Affirms Kuwait's AA- Credit Rating Amid Strait of Hormuz Disruption 
Oil Prices Dip as U.S. Crude Inventories Surge Amid Middle East Tensions 
U.S.-Iran War Pushes Brent Crude Back Above $100 as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Persist 
U.S. Stock Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision Amid Middle East Tensions 
RBA Raises Cash Rate to 4.10% in Closest Vote Since Transparent Voting Began 
Bank of Japan Holds Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns and Yen Weakness 
Australia's February Jobs Data Sends Mixed Signals on Rate Outlook 
U.S. Dollar Slips as Iran War and Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
Iran-Israel War Escalates: Cluster Missiles, Nuclear Fears, and Strait of Hormuz Crisis 
Dollar Steadies as Oil Pullback Lifts Risk Sentiment Before Central Bank Decisions 
Japan's Major Companies Lead Strong Wage Growth for Fourth Consecutive Year 
Asian Markets Rally on AI Optimism Ahead of Fed Decision 
BOJ Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Middle East Uncertainty 
Global oil prices spiked sharply on Thursday, with West Texas Intermediate crude futures briefly breaching the $100-per-barrel threshold amid escalating military tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Brent crude futures climbed 3.4% to $111.15 a barrel, while WTI futures surged 3.5% to $99.85, touching an intraday high of $100.02.
The rally was fueled by reports that Israel struck facilities within Iran's South Pars field, the world's largest natural gas reserve. In response, Tehran threatened retaliatory strikes on critical energy infrastructure across the Gulf region, including Saudi Arabia's SAMREF and Jubail complexes, the UAE's Al Hisn gasfield, and Qatar's Ras Laffan refinery. These threats intensified fears of widespread supply disruptions across one of the world's most vital oil-producing regions.
Adding to market anxiety, a Reuters report revealed that the Trump administration is weighing a large-scale military deployment to the Middle East. Among the objectives under consideration is securing safe passage for oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has kept largely closed — a development that alone poses a significant threat to global crude supply chains. Washington is also reportedly evaluating troop deployment to Iran's Kharg Island, a major oil export hub that was struck by military forces the previous week.
Despite rising crude prices, the U.S. dollar also strengthened, while the Federal Reserve signaled uncertainty over energy-driven inflation following stronger-than-expected producer price data. An unexpected build in U.S. oil inventories briefly tempered the rally, as did news that Iraqi and Kurdish officials agreed to resume oil flows through Turkey's Ceyhan port. Major global economies are also reportedly coordinating emergency petroleum reserve releases to help stabilize markets. Nevertheless, geopolitical risk continues to dominate sentiment, keeping upward pressure on oil prices.
