US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
U.S. Dollar Reaches One-Year High as Tech Sell-Off and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Support Demand 
South Korea Remains MSCI Emerging Market Despite Reform Progress 
Malaysia Central Bank Moves to Support Ringgit Amid Foreign Fund Outflows 
Gold Prices Rise Above $4,000 as Inflation Data and Weaker Dollar Boost Demand 
Trump Requests $11 Billion More in Farm Aid as Rising Costs Pressure U.S. Farmers 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Micron Earnings 
Australia Jobs Growth Strengthens Rate Hike Outlook 
BOJ Hawk Signals Faster Interest Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Risks 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Asian Markets Rally as Micron and Qualcomm AI Outlook Lifts Global Tech Stocks 
Bessent Says U.S. Must Strengthen Supply Chains and Economic Security 
White House Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Funding for Iran War, Farmers, and Ebola Response 
Gold Drops Below $4,000 as Strong US Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Pressure Bullion 
Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
Oil prices edged higher during Asian trading on Thursday as conflicting signals over potential Middle East de-escalation kept energy markets on alert. Brent crude futures for May delivery rose 0.8% to $103.02 per barrel, while WTI crude gained 1% to reach $91.20 per barrel, partially recovering from losses exceeding 2% in the prior session.
The modest rebound came as traders digested cautious diplomatic developments out of Tehran, where Iranian officials are reportedly evaluating a U.S.-backed framework aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. Although Iran has yet to formally accept the proposal, its refusal to outright reject it has injected a degree of cautious optimism into the market. However, Iranian authorities publicly denied engaging in direct talks with Washington, citing unresolved core differences, which continued to fuel uncertainty among investors.
Crude oil prices have experienced extreme volatility in recent weeks following disruptions to energy flows from the Gulf region, a cornerstone of global crude supply. Earlier this month, Brent surged past $119 per barrel driven by fears of major supply outages, underscoring how sensitive energy markets remain to geopolitical risk in the region.
A central concern for oil traders remains the Strait of Hormuz, the critical shipping corridor through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes. Any renewed threat to navigation through the waterway could quickly reignite upward pressure on global crude prices.
Wednesday's price decline reflected market relief following early ceasefire reports, which temporarily reduced the geopolitical risk premium built into oil valuations. Meanwhile, Washington's warnings of stronger economic measures should Iran fail to engage meaningfully added yet another layer of complexity to an already fragile outlook.
With diplomatic negotiations fluid and regional tensions unresolved, oil markets are expected to remain highly sensitive to any new developments in the coming days.
