China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
Dollar Holds Firm as Markets Weigh Warsh-Led Fed and Yen Weakness Ahead of Japan Election 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
Gold and Silver Prices Plunge as Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair 
EU Recovery Fund Faces Bottlenecks Despite Driving Digital and Green Projects 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
Oil prices rose in Asian trading on Wednesday as escalating Middle East tensions and the threat of tighter U.S. sanctions on Russian energy boosted supply concerns. Brent crude futures gained 0.7% to $66.92 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate rose 0.7% to $62.72 by 21:41 ET (01:41 GMT), marking a fourth straight session of gains. Prices were also supported after OPEC+ announced a smaller-than-expected production increase over the weekend.
Markets reacted sharply to Israel’s late-Tuesday strike on Hamas leadership in Doha, Qatar. The attack drew swift condemnation from Qatari and U.S. officials, raising fears it could derail ongoing peace talks. Oil spiked nearly 2% after the news before easing when U.S. officials stated no further strikes would occur. Hamas reported five casualties and accused Israel of attempting to assassinate its negotiating team. The move now clouds prospects for peace negotiations, leaving traders wary of prolonged instability in the region.
Geopolitical risks were further amplified by reports that U.S. President Donald Trump called for tougher measures against Russian oil. According to Reuters, Trump pushed for expanded sanctions and steep tariffs on India and China over their continued energy imports from Moscow. He has already imposed 50% tariffs on India and signaled a possible hike to 100% for both India and China. Such steps could reduce Russian oil revenues and disrupt global supply, although both countries have shown little willingness to halt purchases.
Adding to market uncertainty, U.S. crude inventories rose by 1.25 million barrels in the week to September 5, according to the American Petroleum Institute. Still, supply risks from the Middle East and Russia remain the dominant drivers, keeping oil prices on an upward trajectory.
