Weekend – OPEC+ hikes oil output supply for third straight month by 4,11,000 bpd

OPEC+ has agreed to raise oil production by 411,000 barrels per day in July, matching the increases already set for May and June. The decision marks a continuation of the group’s recent strategy shift aimed at reclaiming market share and pressuring members who have been exceeding their output quotas.

According to Reuters, eight members are now rolling back a total of 2.2 million barrels per day in voluntary cuts made on top of existing reductions.

While Saturday’s agreement, led by Saudi Arabia during a video meeting, reflects a break from OPEC+’s long-standing efforts to prop up oil prices, oil has opened higher, Brent back circa USD64.

Its still not too far above a four-year low.

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at www.forexlive.com.

Fed’s Waller says rate cuts remain possible later in 2025

Speech by Governor Waller on the economic outlook, full text here:

  • ‘Good news’ rate cuts remain possible later this year
  • Rate cut view rests on easing inflation, tariffs on lower end of range
  • Strong economy through April gives Fed time to see how trade shakes out
  • Tariffs likely to create one-time price increase Fed can look through
  • Considerable uncertainty still surrounds trade policy outlook
  • Sees downside risk to economy, job market, upside risk to inflation
  • Tariffs to be main driver of inflation this year
  • Tariffs will drive up unemployment which will likely linger
  • Tariff inflation impact likely greatest in second half of 2025
  • 01 Jun 2025 08:00:00 PM – Fed’s Waller says he is most attentive to market and forecaster views on inflation
  • Doesn’t see real world issues with expected path of inflation
  • Some of modest sized tariff regime will not be passed along

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at www.forexlive.com.

Japan Capital Spending (Q1 2025) +6.4% y/y (vs. expected +3.8%, prior -0.2%)

Japan Capital Spending Q1 3025 +6.4% y/y

  • expected +3.8%, prior –0.2%
  • for the q/q +1.6%

Capital Spending Ex Software +6.9% y/y

  • expected +5.3%, prior +3.1%

Company Sales +4.3% y/y

  • expected +3.0%, prior +2.5%

Company Profits +3.8% y/y

  • expected +6.0%, prior +13.5%

A bit of a mixed bag of results here. Profits not rising as much as expected and well below Q4 2024.

USD/JPY not a lot moved:

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at www.forexlive.com.