Oil prices stabilized on Thursday (February 12th), as the market reassigned a risk premium to US-Iran tensions despite US inventory data showing swelling domestic supplies. This movement confirms one thing: geopolitical headlines are still more "noise" than signals of a short-term surplus. As of 3:50 PM WIB, Brent was at $69.60/barrel (+0.29%) and WTI was at $64.83/barrel (+0.31%). The gains were moderate, but enough to keep prices near the psychological $70 level for Brent. From a geopolitical perspective, market focus is on the potential for escalation in the Middle East. Recent reports...
China has confirmed that President Xi Jinping will meet with US President Donald Trump in South Korea on Thursday. The meeting is a highly anticipated one that traders and investors on both sides of the Pacific hope will ease months of trade tensions. "The two heads of state will have in-depth communication on strategic and long-term issues," a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday, without directly referring to the trade deal the leaders of the world's two largest economies are expected to reach in the port city of Busan. "We are willing to make joint efforts with the United...
Japan and the United States have agreed to cooperate on next-generation nuclear power reactors and rare earths, as Tokyo seeks to re-enter the nuclear technology export market and both seek to reduce China's dominance of key electronic components. US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi signed a framework agreement on Tuesday to secure supplies of rare earths, used in everything from cars to fighter jets. They signed the documents, covering critical minerals, at Tokyo's neo-Baroque Akasaka Palace, beneath three ornate gold chandeliers, to thunderous applause...
Top U.S. and Chinese negotiators said they reached a consensus on key disputes, paving the way for Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping to meet later this week and finalize a trade deal aimed at easing tensions. After two days of talks in Malaysia, officials announced that both sides had agreed on issues including export controls, fentanyl, and shipping levies. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CBS News that Trump's threat of 100% tariffs on Chinese goods "is effectively off the table," adding that China would make "substantial" soybean purchases and delay its rare-earth export...
The U.S. Trade Representative on Friday announced the launch of an investigation into China's implementation of the trade agreement signed during President Donald Trump's first term. "The launch of this investigation underscores the Trump Administration's determination to ensure China fulfills its Phase One Agreement commitments, protect American farmers, ranchers, workers, and innovators, and build a more reciprocal trade relationship with China for the benefit of the American people," U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement. (alg) Source: Reuters
Business activity in the United States' (US) private sector expanded at a healthy pace in October, with the S&P Global Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) improving to 54.8 in the flash estimate from 53.9 in September. In this period, the S&P Global Manufacturing PMI edged higher to 52.2 from 52, while the Services PMI climbed to 55.2 from 54.2. Both of these prints came in better than analysts' estimates. Assessing the survey's findings, "October's flash PMI data point to sustained strong economic growth at the start of the fourth quarter, with business activity picking up...
The annual inflation rate in the US rose to 3% in September 2025, the highest since January, from 2.9% in August and below forecasts of 3.1%. The energy index increased 2.8% and the food index increased 3.1%. Meanwhile, core inflation actually slowed to 3% from 3.1%, with markets expecting it to stay at 3.1%. Compared to the previous month, the CPI increased 0.3%, below 0.4% in August and forecasts of 0.4%. The index for gasoline rose 4.1% and was the largest factor in the all items monthly increase Source: Trading Economi
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that all trade negotiations with Canada have been terminated, accusing Ottawa of using a "fraudulent" advertisement involving late President Ronald Reagan. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump alleged that the Ronald Reagan Foundation had announced Canada used a fake ad featuring Reagan criticizing tariffs. Trump claimed the ad, which he said "was for" $75 million, was created to "interfere with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, and other courts." "Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA...
President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia will never bow to pressure from the United States or any other country, warning that the response to any attack deep into Russian territory would be extremely serious and overwhelming. US sanctions are an "unfriendly" measure and "will have certain consequences, but they will not significantly affect our economic well-being," Putin said. He said the Russian energy sector is confident. "This is, of course, an attempt to pressure Russia," Putin said. "But no self-respecting country and no self-respecting people will make decisions under...
Gold rises in the early Asian trade. There's a broad commodities uptrend, driven by macro uncertainty, a weaker dollar, and persistent demand for "hard" assets, says Fawad Razaqzada, market analyst...
Oil extended declines after OPEC+ agreed to a bigger-than-expected production increase next month, raising concerns about oversupply just as US tariffs fan fears about the demand outlook.
Brent...
The Japanese Yen (JPY) weakened against its US counterpart and reversed part of Friday's recovery from the lowest level since July 23 following Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda's remarks....