Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
U.S. Stocks Rise as Cooler Inflation Boosts Hopes for Fed Rate Cut 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Oil prices fell slightly on Thursday as investors remained cautious amid uncertainty over U.S. involvement in the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. Brent crude futures declined 37 cents (0.48%) to $76.33 a barrel by 0110 GMT, following a volatile session in which prices swung by nearly 3%. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for July slipped 28 cents (0.37%) to $74.86, after briefly dropping 2.4% before ending 0.4% higher the previous day.
With the July WTI contract expiring Friday, the more actively traded August contract dipped 21 cents (0.29%) to $73.29.
Market analyst Tony Sycamore of IG noted that prices still reflect a risk premium as traders await clarity on whether the U.S. will strike Iran or pursue peace talks. A U.S. strike could push oil prices up by $5, while peace efforts may cause a similar decline.
President Donald Trump added to the market's uncertainty by stating he has not yet decided whether to join Israel’s missile campaign against Iran. The conflict, now in its seventh day, continues to threaten Middle Eastern energy infrastructure, particularly the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 19 million barrels per day of oil and oil products flow. Iran, OPEC’s third-largest producer, pumps around 3.3 million bpd.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on Wednesday but signaled two potential rate cuts this year. Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasized the cuts would be data-driven and warned that Trump’s proposed import tariffs could fuel inflation. While lower interest rates may boost oil demand by stimulating economic activity, they also risk intensifying inflationary pressures, adding another layer of complexity for energy markets.
