Soybean Futures Slip as Traders Await Trump-Xi Trade Signals 
US 10-Year Treasury Yield at 6% Emerges as New Market Risk Threshold 
Gold Prices Fall as Treasury Yields Rise on Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Fed Unveils Stablecoin Rules Under GENIUS Act 
Australia Unemployment Hits Five-Year High Despite Strong Jobs Growth 
Wall Street Ends Flat as Oil, Treasury Yields and Fed Jitters Rattle Markets 
Canadian Dollar Faces Pressure as Fed-BoC Policy Gap Widens 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High 
Germany’s 2026 Growth Outlook Strengthens on Fiscal Spending 
China Agrees to Buy 20 Million Tons of U.S. Coal 
Trump, Xi Focus on Trade and AI at White House Summit 
Japanese Bank Stocks Surge as Bond Yields Fuel Rate Hike Bets 
Asian Stocks Fall as Surging Bond Yields Rattle Markets 
RBI Uses $10 Billion Currency Swaps to Drain Excess Rupee Liquidity 
U.S. Dollar Hits Two-Month High as Oil, Treasury Yields Surge 
European Stocks Fall as Bond Yields and Geopolitical Risks Weigh 
US Comfortable With Canada Trade Standoff as Import Bans Loom 
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Oil prices remained subdued in Asian trade on Friday, hovering near their lowest levels this year as fears of increased U.S. trade tariffs rattled global markets. Brent crude futures for May edged up 0.2% to $69.60 a barrel, while WTI crude rose to $66.11 a barrel, stabilizing after hitting a three-year low.
Both Brent and WTI futures were on track for their worst weekly drop since October, with losses exceeding 4.5% for the week. Investor sentiment weakened after the U.S. imposed higher trade tariffs on major economies, including China, raising fears of slowed economic growth and reduced oil demand. In retaliation, China and Canada introduced countermeasures, with Mexico set to follow suit.
Adding to bearish pressures, OPEC+ voted to modestly increase oil production, signaling potential further hikes. Despite the move being limited, it hinted at a shift away from the cartel’s prior supply cuts, which had taken over 5 million barrels per day off the market to support prices.
Meanwhile, U.S. oil inventories rose more than expected, further weighing on crude prices. The market is now awaiting key U.S. economic data, particularly February’s nonfarm payrolls, for insights into potential demand trends.
Geopolitical risks offered little support, with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war failing to significantly impact crude markets. The U.S. halted military aid to Ukraine, pending a new agreement with Kyiv.
Overall, oil markets remain under pressure from trade disputes, supply concerns, and demand uncertainty, setting crude up for continued volatility.
