Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Oil prices rose 1.5% in Asian trading on Wednesday, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions and surprising U.S. inventory data. Brent crude futures for July climbed to $66.42 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose to $62.92.
The spike followed a CNN report citing U.S. intelligence that Israel is preparing for a potential military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. Although Israeli leadership has not finalized a decision, officials say the probability of such action has “significantly increased” in recent months. The potential conflict, unfolding as the U.S. continues nuclear negotiations with Tehran, raises fears of major supply disruptions across the Middle East.
According to ING analysts, “The report signals heightened geopolitical risk, with potential threats not only to Iranian supply but broader regional output.”
The report also highlighted Iran’s refusal to negotiate on its uranium enrichment program, a key sticking point in U.S.-Iran talks. This intransigence, combined with legacy tensions from the Trump-era nuclear deal, has added fuel to concerns that diplomacy may fail.
Adding further pressure to oil prices, the American Petroleum Institute (API) reported an unexpected 2.5 million-barrel increase in U.S. crude inventories for the week ending May 16, compared to expectations of a 1.9 million-barrel draw. Gasoline inventories fell by 3.2 million barrels, while distillates, including diesel and heating oil, declined by 1.4 million barrels.
ING noted that inventory data suggests a tightening market for middle distillates. Traders now await official data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) for confirmation.
With heightened geopolitical tensions and surprising inventory trends, energy markets remain on edge, pricing in a growing risk premium.
