South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
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.
