World Bank Approves $1.1 Billion Emergency Funding for Bangladesh Amid Food and Energy Price Pressures 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
South Korea’s KOSPI Plunges as Apple Price Hikes and OpenAI IPO Delay Shake AI Chip Stocks 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
White House Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Funding for Iran War, Farmers, and Ebola Response 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
China Sets 1.25% Overnight Reverse Repo Rate Below Market Expectations 
Wall Street Ends Lower as AI Stocks Drag Markets, Fed Rate Outlook Shifts 
Gold Drops Below $4,000 as Strong US Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Pressure Bullion 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
China Factory PMI Seen Returning to Growth in June as AI Export Demand Supports Economy 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
Oil prices declined on Monday as investor concerns grew over U.S. import tariffs impacting global economic growth and fuel demand. Increased output from OPEC+ also contributed to the bearish sentiment.
Brent crude slipped 0.4% to $70.11 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 0.4% to $66.76. WTI posted its seventh consecutive weekly decline, the longest since November 2023, and Brent marked its third straight week of losses. The downturn followed U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies, which raised tensions with key oil suppliers Canada, Mexico, and China. China retaliated with tariffs on U.S. and Canadian agricultural goods.
Market uncertainty deepened with discussions on potential U.S. sanctions relief on Russia’s energy sector, should Russia agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. At the same time, Trump hinted at further sanctions if Russia fails to comply.
OPEC+ confirmed plans to increase oil production starting in April, but Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak suggested a potential policy reversal if market conditions warrant. Meanwhile, Trump's push to negotiate with Iran over its nuclear ambitions faced resistance, as Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed external pressure. The U.S. also revoked a waiver allowing Iraq to pay Iran for electricity, intensifying economic restrictions on Tehran.
Despite ongoing geopolitical risks, analysts see potential support for WTI around $65-$62, predicting a possible rebound to $72. Investors remain cautious as oil markets navigate supply shifts and macroeconomic pressures.
