Asian Stocks Slip as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Lift Oil, Dollar Strength Persists 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
Economic pessimism has set in – but there are reasons for Australians to be hopeful 
Gold Price Falls as Fed Rate Hike Fears and U.S.-Iran Tensions Weigh on Bullion 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
SpaceX Eyes Starlink Mobile Phone Service to Challenge Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile 
China Sets 1.25% Overnight Reverse Repo Rate Below Market Expectations 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
Canada Grants C$7 Million to Greenland Molybdenum Mine to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply 
Wall Street Ends Lower as AI Stocks Drag Markets, Fed Rate Outlook Shifts 
Asian Currencies Stay Range-Bound as Investors Eye China Data, RBNZ Outlook and U.S.-Iran Ceasefire 
Oil prices fell over 1% on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump urged OPEC to reduce oil prices to pressure Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine war. Brent crude dropped 1.11% to $77.63 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) declined 1.19% to $73.77.
Trump reiterated his demand for OPEC to lower prices, arguing it would hurt Russia’s revenues and help end the conflict in Ukraine. He threatened sanctions and tariffs on Russia and OPEC countries if a resolution isn't reached. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed willingness to discuss oil prices and the war with Trump.
OPEC and its allies, including Russia, have not formally responded to Trump’s comments, maintaining plans to raise output starting in April. Despite recent price declines, analysts believe Russian production will remain stable. Goldman Sachs noted higher shipping rates and discounts on Russian oil continue to attract buyers, mitigating sanctions' impact.
JP Morgan analysts highlighted risks, with nearly 20% of the global Aframax fleet affected by sanctions, suggesting a cautious approach to future price projections.
Additional trade disruptions loom as Trump announced retaliatory tariffs and sanctions on Colombia, the largest exporter of crude to the U.S., after it blocked two U.S. military deportation flights. Colombia accounted for 183,000 barrels per day of U.S. seaborne imports in 2024, comprising 41% of its total exports.
The Energy Information Administration reported the U.S. imported 228,000 barrels per day of Colombian crude and related products in 2023. As tensions escalate, the energy market faces continued volatility and uncertainty.
