China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Oil prices climbed in early Wednesday trading, extending gains from the previous session as geopolitical tensions between Iran and Israel stoked fears of supply disruptions. Brent crude rose 19 cents (0.25%) to $76.64 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) added 23 cents (0.31%) to reach $75.07 per barrel.
The escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict, now in its sixth day, has raised alarm over potential threats to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit chokepoint responsible for about 20% of global seaborne crude. U.S. President Donald Trump demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” while the Pentagon is dispatching more fighter jets to the region, signaling further military buildup.
Adding to concerns, two oil tankers collided and caught fire near the Strait, and the UK Maritime Trade Operations warned of electronic interference affecting ship navigation in the area. Iran, the third-largest OPEC producer, pumps approximately 3.3 million barrels per day. However, analysts note that other OPEC members have spare capacity to compensate for potential shortfalls.
Markets are also closely watching the Federal Reserve’s ongoing policy discussions. While the central bank is expected to maintain interest rates at 4.25%-4.50%, analysts suggest that rising oil prices and geopolitical risks could prompt a rate cut as early as July—sooner than the market's current forecast of September. Lower rates typically stimulate economic growth and boost oil demand.
Yet, the Fed faces a dilemma, as surging crude prices could fuel inflation. According to the American Petroleum Institute, U.S. crude and gasoline inventories fell last week, while distillate stocks rose, adding another layer of complexity to the outlook for energy markets and monetary policy.
