Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Oil prices steadied in Asian trading on Friday after sharp losses the previous day, as investors assessed new U.S. tariff threats and closely watched signals from OPEC+ on future supply levels.
Brent crude futures for September delivery rose 0.5% to $69.01 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 0.7% to $67.00 by 01:47 GMT. Both benchmarks dropped nearly 2% on Thursday after touching two-week highs earlier in the week.
Investor sentiment was shaken after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 35% tariff on Canadian imports, effective August 1. He warned of further increases if Canada retaliates. This follows Trump’s recent tariff hikes—25% on goods from South Korea and Japan, and 50% on copper imports.
Tariff tensions typically weigh on oil demand by disrupting trade, curbing industrial activity, and slowing travel—key drivers of crude consumption. Analysts at ING highlighted tariffs as a key downside risk to global oil markets.
Meanwhile, supply-side concerns remain in focus. A Bloomberg report said OPEC and its allies (OPEC+) are considering pausing production increases after completing a planned supply boost in August. The group is set to restore 2.2 million barrels per day by September, with the final 550,000 barrels coming next month.
OPEC+ also revised down its global oil demand forecast through 2028, citing China’s slowing economy. Analysts expect oil prices to face more sustained downward pressure starting in the fourth quarter, as markets move into a potential surplus.
Despite short-term support, both geopolitical tensions and shifting supply-demand dynamics are likely to drive volatility in crude oil prices through the remainder of the year.
