Gold and Asian Stocks Rebound as Market Volatility Eases and Global Sentiment Improves 
Taiwan Urges Stronger Trade Ties With Fellow Democracies, Rejects Economic Dependence on China 
RBA Raises Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points as Inflation Pressures Persist 
IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
EU Recovery Fund Faces Bottlenecks Despite Driving Digital and Green Projects 
Trump Announces U.S.–India Trade Deal Cutting Tariffs, Boosting Markets and Energy Ties 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Investors Eye Big Tech Earnings and AI Momentum 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
S&P 500 Rises as AI Stocks and Small Caps Rally on Strong Earnings Outlook 
Japan Finance Minister Defends PM Takaichi’s Remarks on Weak Yen Benefits 
Dollar Holds Firm as Strong U.S. Data, Fed Expectations and Global Central Bank Moves Shape Markets 
Oil prices dropped at the start of Monday’s trading session as OPEC+ announced a larger-than-expected output hike, heightening concerns about a potential oversupply in the global market.
Brent crude futures slipped 67 cents, or 1%, to $67.63 a barrel as of 2308 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude saw a sharper decline, falling $1.20, or 1.8%, to $65.80 per barrel.
The drop follows OPEC+’s decision over the weekend to increase oil production by 548,000 barrels per day (bpd) in August. This marks a significant rise from previous monthly hikes of 411,000 bpd in May through July and 138,000 bpd in April. The meeting was the group’s first since recent geopolitical tensions—sparked by Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran—caused oil prices to spike and then retreat.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, known collectively as OPEC+, cited a stable global economic outlook and robust market fundamentals, such as low inventory levels, as justification for ramping up supply. However, the move has triggered market anxiety over whether the supply increase could outpace demand recovery, especially amid persistent economic uncertainties in major markets.
The decision underscores OPEC+’s balancing act between stabilizing prices and meeting growing global energy demands. While the group aims to support economic momentum by easing output restrictions, investors are wary that the rapid increase in supply could put downward pressure on oil prices in the short term.
As oil traders monitor upcoming demand data and geopolitical developments, market volatility is expected to persist. The next OPEC+ meeting will be closely watched for signs of any shift in production strategy.
