Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Oil prices slipped slightly in early Asian trading on Wednesday as increased OPEC+ output and global economic concerns outweighed recent gains. Brent crude fell 5 cents to $65.58 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) declined 9 cents to $63.32.
The retreat followed a 2% rise on Tuesday, driven by fears of supply disruptions from wildfires in Canada and uncertainty over U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations. Market participants expect Iran to reject the latest U.S. deal proposal, which would have eased oil-related sanctions.
Tsuyoshi Ueno, senior economist at NLI Research Institute, noted that despite Canadian supply concerns and halted Iran talks, oil markets are struggling to extend gains. Rising output from OPEC+ is capping price momentum, he said.
Geopolitical tensions also weigh on sentiment. While a potential call between U.S. President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping is anticipated this week, investor optimism remains muted amid prolonged tariff disputes. Trump recently accused China of reneging on tariff rollback commitments, prompting the U.S. to demand trade concessions from partners by Wednesday.
Economic outlooks have dimmed further. The OECD slashed its global growth forecast on Tuesday, citing mounting damage from the trade war. Analysts fear continued uncertainty will dampen energy demand.
Meanwhile, Canadian wildfires continue to disrupt crude output, adding volatility to supply dynamics. In the U.S., crude inventories dropped by 3.3 million barrels last week, according to the American Petroleum Institute. Gasoline stocks, however, rose by 4.7 million barrels, and distillate inventories increased by 760,000 barrels.
A Reuters survey predicted a smaller 1 million barrel draw in crude stocks. Traders now await official inventory data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) for further direction.
