Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Asian Stocks Slip as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Lift Oil, Dollar Strength Persists 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
World Bank Approves $1.1 Billion Emergency Funding for Bangladesh Amid Food and Energy Price Pressures 
Wall Street Ends Lower as AI Stocks Drag Markets, Fed Rate Outlook Shifts 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
South Korea’s KOSPI Plunges as Apple Price Hikes and OpenAI IPO Delay Shake AI Chip Stocks 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
White House Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Funding for Iran War, Farmers, and Ebola Response 
China Sets 1.25% Overnight Reverse Repo Rate Below Market Expectations 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
China Factory PMI Seen Returning to Growth in June as AI Export Demand Supports Economy 
Oil prices edged lower in Asian trade on Wednesday as markets remained cautious over escalating trade tensions and rising global production. Brent crude futures for May slipped 0.2% to $70.93 per barrel, while WTI crude futures dropped 0.3% to $67.46 per barrel, hovering near a five-month low.
Investor sentiment weakened after U.S. President Donald Trump implemented higher tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico, intensifying economic concerns. The oil market also faced pressure from reports that OPEC+ will proceed with a marginal production increase starting in April.
Despite these challenges, crude prices found some support from China’s economic stimulus efforts. The country, the world's largest oil importer, set a 5% GDP growth target for 2025 and announced plans for increased fiscal spending and consumer subsidies. Additionally, Beijing will raise debt issuance to boost domestic consumption, aiming to counter sluggish economic conditions.
Market optimism also stemmed from U.S. inventory data. The American Petroleum Institute reported a larger-than-expected 1.5 million-barrel draw in U.S. crude stockpiles for the week ending February 28, surpassing forecasts of a 0.3-million-barrel decline. The draw raised hopes of improving fuel demand and tighter U.S. supplies after four consecutive weeks of inventory builds.
However, oil prices remained under pressure after Trump urged higher energy production both domestically and globally. The combination of tariff-related economic headwinds, increasing supply, and geopolitical uncertainty continues to weigh on market sentiment.
Investors now await official U.S. inventory data, due later on Wednesday, for further direction.
