Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Launches Task Forces to Overhaul U.S. Monetary Policy Framework 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar, Fed Rate Outlook Weigh on Bullion 
Japan Eyes Bigger GPIF Investment in Domestic Assets as BOJ Independence Concerns Grow 
Asian Currencies Slip as Stronger US Dollar, Iran Tensions Pressure Regional FX 
RBNZ Raises Interest Rates to 2.50%, Signals More Tightening as Inflation Risks Persist 
Gold Price Climbs Over 1% as Dollar Weakens, Fed Rate Debate and Iran Tensions Remain in Focus 
US Launches New Iran Strikes as Strait of Hormuz Conflict Escalates, Oil Prices Rise 
Oil and LNG Tankers Turn Back as Strait of Hormuz Security Risks Escalate 
Japan Wholesale Inflation Jumps as Energy Shock Drives Import Costs Higher 
US Back-to-School Spending Seen Falling as Families Focus on Essentials 
Germany Seen Gaining as U.S. China-Built Ship Fees Reshape Trade 
Japan Producer Inflation Hits 7.1% in June, Fueling BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Japan Revises Economic Blueprint to Reassure Markets on BOJ Independence 
Japan Regional Bank Stocks Drop After Zentoshin Bankruptcy Sparks Credit Risk Concerns 
Dollar Slips After Fed Minutes as Iran Tensions, Inflation Risks Keep Markets Cautious 
Asian Stocks Slip as Iran Tensions, Samsung Weakness and Fed Caution Weigh on Markets 
Oil prices edged lower in early Friday trading but remained on course for solid weekly gains as geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran continued to support the market, despite growing concerns that rising inflation could weaken global fuel demand.
Brent crude futures slipped 6 cents, or 0.08%, to $76.24 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 4 cents, or 0.06%, to $72.04 as of 0125 GMT. Even with the modest pullback, Brent was on track for a weekly gain of about 6%, while WTI was set to rise roughly 5%.
Oil markets remained focused on escalating tensions in the Middle East after Iranian armed forces launched attacks on U.S. military facilities in Gulf states on Thursday in response to recent U.S. strikes on targets in Iran’s southern coastal and eastern regions. Iranian media also reported multiple explosions across southern Iran, including near Bushehr, home to one of the country's nuclear power plants.
The latest military exchanges came as Iran buried its slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the conflict on February 28. The renewed fighting has delayed the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route that previously handled around 20% of global oil and gas supplies.
ANZ senior commodity strategist Daniel Hynes said markets found some relief after the Trump administration avoided targeting Iran's energy infrastructure during its latest military operations. Investor sentiment was further supported by President Donald Trump's comments that he does not expect the conflict to escalate into another full-scale war and believes any further hostilities would end quickly.
Meanwhile, economic data presented mixed signals for oil demand. In the United States, initial jobless claims declined last week, pointing to a resilient labor market characterized by steady hiring and limited layoffs. In China, however, producer price inflation climbed to a four-year high in June, raising concerns over manufacturing profitability as weak domestic demand continued to limit companies' ability to pass on higher costs. Rising inflationary pressures in the world's second-largest economy could weigh on future energy consumption, tempering the bullish impact of geopolitical risks on crude prices.
