BOJ Hawk Signals Faster Interest Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Risks 
U.S. Dollar Reaches One-Year High as Tech Sell-Off and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Support Demand 
Asian Markets Rally as Micron and Qualcomm AI Outlook Lifts Global Tech Stocks 
Trump Requests $11 Billion More in Farm Aid as Rising Costs Pressure U.S. Farmers 
Gold Prices Fall Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar, Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Bullion 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
Wall Street Ends Lower as AI Stocks Drag Markets, Fed Rate Outlook Shifts 
Australia Jobs Growth Strengthens Rate Hike Outlook 
South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
Gold Drops Below $4,000 as Strong US Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Pressure Bullion 
Gold Falls Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Weigh on Prices 
South Korea’s KOSPI Plunges as Apple Price Hikes and OpenAI IPO Delay Shake AI Chip Stocks 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
Australian Household Spending Rebounds Strongly in May as Travel and Dining Drive Consumer Growth 
Oil prices moved higher in Asian trading on Thursday as ongoing geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran kept a risk premium firmly embedded in crude markets. Investors closely monitored developments in the Middle East, while also assessing fresh U.S. economic data and a sharp rise in domestic oil inventories.
Brent crude futures for April delivery climbed 0.4% to $69.64 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures also gained 0.4% to $64.74 per barrel. The modest increase reflects cautious optimism among traders, balanced by concerns over supply and demand dynamics.
Market participants continue to factor in the possibility of escalating conflict in the Middle East. Reports earlier this week indicated that Washington is considering deploying a second aircraft carrier to the region. Although recent talks between the U.S. and Iran reportedly showed some progress regarding Tehran’s nuclear program, no definitive agreement has been reached. Additional reports suggested the U.S. may seize oil tankers carrying Iranian crude, further heightening supply disruption fears. A recent meeting between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also provided limited clarity, leaving traders wary of potential military escalation that could impact oil production in the region.
Meanwhile, strong U.S. nonfarm payrolls data for January signaled resilience in the world’s largest fuel-consuming economy. Robust job growth boosted expectations for steady oil demand. However, stronger economic performance also reduced the likelihood of near-term interest rate cuts, strengthening the U.S. dollar and capping gains in crude prices.
Further limiting upside momentum, U.S. Energy Information Administration data showed an 8.5 million-barrel increase in crude inventories last week, significantly above expectations. The build suggests a rebound in supply after extreme winter weather earlier this year disrupted output.
Investors are now turning their attention to China’s upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, traditionally marked by increased travel and higher fuel consumption, which could provide additional support to global oil prices.
