Gold Falls Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Weigh on Prices 
South Korea’s KOSPI Plunges as Apple Price Hikes and OpenAI IPO Delay Shake AI Chip Stocks 
Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff 
Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
White House Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Funding for Iran War, Farmers, and Ebola Response 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
Asian Markets Rally as Micron and Qualcomm AI Outlook Lifts Global Tech Stocks 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
U.S. Dollar Reaches One-Year High as Tech Sell-Off and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Support Demand 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost 
Oil prices moved higher on Friday as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran heightened fears of potential supply disruptions in global energy markets. Investors reacted after Washington warned that Tehran could face severe consequences if it fails to reach a nuclear agreement within 10 to 15 days. The renewed geopolitical uncertainty pushed Brent crude futures up 21 cents, or 0.3%, to $71.87 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 23 cents, or 0.4%, to $66.66 per barrel.
On Thursday, both benchmarks settled at their highest levels in six months after President Donald Trump cautioned that “really bad things” could occur if Iran does not agree to curb its nuclear program. Although Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are peaceful, the U.S. believes otherwise, increasing the risk of further diplomatic strain or possible conflict.
Adding to market concerns, Iran announced plans for joint naval exercises with Russia shortly after temporarily closing the Strait of Hormuz for military drills. The strategic waterway, which borders Iran and the oil-rich Arabian Peninsula, handles roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply. Any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could significantly tighten global crude supply and drive oil prices even higher.
Supply-side factors also supported the recent rally in crude oil prices. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. crude inventories fell by 9 million barrels last week as refinery utilization and exports increased. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s oil exports declined to 6.988 million barrels per day in December, marking the lowest level since September, based on data from the Joint Organizations Data Initiative.
In Asia, Japan’s core consumer inflation slowed to 2.0% in January, the weakest pace in two years. Softer inflation may delay potential interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan. Lower interest rates in major oil-importing nations like Japan are generally viewed as supportive for global oil demand and crude prices, reinforcing the bullish sentiment in energy markets.
