U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
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.
