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Dollar Falls as Oil Eases, Yen Jumps on Intervention Signals 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High 
Oil Prices Jump 3% as Houthi Attack Revives Supply Fears 
Gold Holds Near $4,275 as Rising Treasury Yields Fuel Fed Rate Hike Bets 
U.S. Dollar Hits Two-Month High as Oil, Treasury Yields Surge 
US Comfortable With Canada Trade Standoff as Import Bans Loom 
Fed’s Hammack Says Bond Yield Surge Is Not Driven by Inflation Fears 
Canadian Dollar Faces Pressure as Fed-BoC Policy Gap Widens 
Trump, Xi Focus on Trade and AI at White House Summit 
Soybean Futures Slip as Traders Await Trump-Xi Trade Signals 
Japanese Bank Stocks Surge as Bond Yields Fuel Rate Hike Bets 
China Agrees to Buy 20 Million Tons of U.S. Coal 
Germany’s 2026 Growth Outlook Strengthens on Fiscal Spending 
Fed Unveils Stablecoin Rules Under GENIUS Act 
US 10-Year Treasury Yield at 6% Emerges as New Market Risk Threshold 
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Oil prices gained in Asian trading Tuesday after Israel launched airstrikes on Gaza, allegedly violating a ceasefire following failed hostage negotiations. Brent crude rose 0.4% to $71.32 per barrel, while WTI climbed 0.4% to $67.61.
The strikes, Israel’s most significant escalation since January, targeted Hamas positions, leaving at least 100 dead, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Prime Minister Netanyahu authorized the attacks after Hamas rejected ceasefire extension proposals and refused hostage releases. The ongoing conflict raises concerns over potential energy market disruptions in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, investors await the Federal Reserve’s March 18-19 meeting. The Fed is expected to maintain interest rates at 4.25%-4.50%, with traders closely watching its stance on Trump-era tariffs and their economic impact. Rising trade tensions have pressured oil prices, with Brent crude recently hitting three-year lows near $70 per barrel. Higher interest rates could strengthen the U.S. dollar, making oil more expensive for non-dollar holders, potentially reducing demand. The U.S. Dollar Index edged up 0.1% during Asian trading.
Geopolitical risks continue to support oil prices. The U.S. pledged ongoing airstrikes against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, aiming to secure Red Sea shipping routes. Disruptions in this key trade corridor could further impact global energy markets.
China, the world’s largest oil importer, recently announced measures to boost domestic consumption, aiming to shift economic reliance to internal demand. Strong industrial production growth of 5.9% in January-February and a 4% retail sales increase have fueled optimism about oil demand recovery.
With global conflicts and economic policies in focus, oil markets remain volatile as traders navigate uncertainty over supply risks and monetary policies.
