Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Trump Administration Sued Over Suspension of Critical Hudson River Tunnel Funding 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
US-India Trade Bombshell: Tariffs Slashed to 18% — Rupee Soars, Sensex Explodes 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Oil Prices Slide on Demand Concerns
Oil prices fell sharply in Asian trading on Tuesday, continuing recent declines as worries over weakening global demand weighed heavily on the market. The drop was also influenced by reports that Israel would not target Iranian oil facilities, reducing fears of an escalation in Middle East tensions.
Brent crude futures fell by 3% to $75.16 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropped to $71.03 per barrel, both extending losses from earlier in the week.
China's Declining Demand Adds Pressure
China's fifth consecutive monthly decline in oil imports has sparked concerns about slowing demand. Traders were underwhelmed by recent economic support measures announced by China's Ministry of Finance, which lacked details on the timing and scale of efforts to boost consumption. China's weak economic conditions have further diminished its appetite for crude, pressuring oil prices.
Additionally, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) downgraded its global oil demand forecasts for the third month in a row. OPEC now expects a growth of 1.93 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2024, down from earlier estimates of 2.03 million bpd. The organization cited China's economic slowdown as a key factor in this revision.
Middle East Tensions Ease
Further weighing on oil prices, a report on Monday indicated that Israel will not attack Iran’s oil or nuclear facilities. This news has reduced the risk premium attached to oil prices, which had surged following Iran’s missile strike on Israel earlier in October. Traders now anticipate a less severe escalation in the region's conflict, providing some relief to the oil market.
