South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
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 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Oil prices eased slightly in Asian trading on Wednesday, pulling back from seven-week highs as investors weighed weaker demand forecasts and awaited the outcome of key U.S.-China trade negotiations.
Brent crude futures for July delivery slipped 0.3% to $66.65 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) dropped 0.2% to $64.86 per barrel, both retreating after hitting highs not seen since April.
The oil market remained focused on the results of two days of U.S.-China trade talks held in London. Officials from both sides announced a preliminary framework to reinforce the Geneva trade truce. The agreement includes China easing export restrictions on rare-earth minerals and magnets, while the U.S. plans to roll back some tech-related export controls, including on semiconductors. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the deal adds substance to previous commitments, though implementation still awaits approval from Presidents Trump and Xi.
Optimism over reduced trade tensions supported global growth sentiment, helping buoy oil prices. However, concerns over weaker demand kept gains in check. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) trimmed its global oil demand forecast by 200,000 barrels per day to 103.5 million bpd, citing weaker consumption in developed nations. The agency also projected lower U.S. crude output in 2025 due to subdued drilling activity.
In contrast, OPEC+ continues to ramp up production, heightening oversupply worries. On the inventory front, U.S. crude stockpiles fell by 370,000 barrels last week, according to the American Petroleum Institute (API), defying expectations of a 700,000-barrel build. Investors now await the official EIA report for confirmation.
The mix of trade optimism, demand concerns, and inventory data is likely to keep oil markets volatile in the short term.
