Oil prices were largely steady in Asian trading on Thursday as markets braced for the third round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks later in the day, a pivotal event for the near-term trajectory.

Most Asian stocks advanced on Wednesday with Japanese and South Korean shares rallying to record highs on strength in technology stocks. 

Goldman Sachs has said it expects the U.S. to grow faster than consensus estimates in 2026, thanks to tax cuts, a reduced drag from tariffs, and easier financial conditions.

President Donald Trump'spromised temporary 15% tariffs to replace those struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court are meant to resolve a problem that many economists say does not exist: a U.S. balance of payments crisis, making them potentially vulnerable to new legal challenges.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday called on the Trump administration to refund the estimated $13.5 billion in tariff payments to New Yorkers after the Supreme Court on Friday struck down many of the president’s far-reaching tariffs.

U.S. wholesale inventories increased marginally in December amid strong sales growth, government data showed on Tuesday.