Gold Drops Below $4,000 as Strong US Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Pressure Bullion 
U.S. Dollar Reaches One-Year High as Tech Sell-Off and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Support Demand 
Malaysia Central Bank Moves to Support Ringgit Amid Foreign Fund Outflows 
South Korea Remains MSCI Emerging Market Despite Reform Progress 
Oil Prices Drop as Strait of Hormuz Shipping Recovers 
Asian Markets Rally as Micron and Qualcomm AI Outlook Lifts Global Tech Stocks 
Trump Requests $11 Billion More in Farm Aid as Rising Costs Pressure U.S. Farmers 
Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff 
South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
Gold Prices Rise Above $4,000 as Inflation Data and Weaker Dollar Boost Demand 
South Korea’s KOSPI Plunges as Apple Price Hikes and OpenAI IPO Delay Shake AI Chip Stocks 
Oil prices remained relatively stable on Friday as optimism over renewed U.S.-Iran negotiations helped calm market fears, even as supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continued to support prices. Brent crude futures rose 0.7% to $105.81 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude slipped 1% to $94.85. Despite the mixed daily performance, both benchmarks are on track for their strongest weekly gains since early March.
Investor sentiment improved after confirmation that U.S. and Iranian officials will meet again for diplomatic talks in Pakistan. The move follows signals from both sides indicating a willingness to pursue a potential agreement. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced a regional tour to coordinate with key partners, while the White House confirmed that senior U.S. representatives would attend the upcoming discussions. Comments from U.S. officials suggesting diplomacy remains a priority briefly pushed oil prices lower during the session.
However, ongoing geopolitical tensions continue to drive the oil market. The prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a critical global oil shipping route—has significantly reduced supply. According to Goldman Sachs, Gulf oil production has dropped by approximately 14.5 million barrels per day, representing a 57% decline from pre-conflict levels. This supply shock has played a major role in lifting crude prices throughout the week.
Both Brent and WTI have rebounded sharply, gaining over 16% and 12% respectively this week. The rally comes despite a fragile ceasefire and uncertainty around the duration of the conflict. Increased naval activity in the region, including vessel seizures and blockades, has heightened risks to global energy supply chains.
Analysts warn that even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens, oil production may take time to recover fully. Meanwhile, major producers are exploring alternative shipping routes to bypass the disrupted corridor. As geopolitical tensions persist, oil price volatility is expected to remain elevated, keeping investors focused on both diplomatic developments and supply risks.
