Global Demand for Yuan Loans and Bonds Surges as China Pushes Currency Internationalization 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise Ahead of Holiday-Shortened Week as AI Optimism Lifts Tech 
South Korea Central Bank Warns of Rising Financial Stability Risks Amid Won Volatility 
Gold Price Breaks $4,500 as Safe-Haven Demand and Rate Cut Bets Fuel Rally 
Asian Stock Markets Trade Flat as Holiday Liquidity Thins and BOJ Minutes Watched 
Platinum Price Surges Past $2,000 as Demand and Supply Dynamics Tighten 
BOJ Minutes Reveal Growing Debate Over Interest Rate Hikes and Inflation Risks 
China’s Power Market Revamp Fuels Global Boom in Energy Storage Batteries 
Gold Prices Surge to Record Highs as Geopolitical Tensions Fuel Safe-Haven Demand 
Asian Stocks Rise as Wall Street Tech Rally Lifts Markets, Yen Slumps Despite BOJ Rate Hike 
Why U.S. Coffee Prices Are Staying High Despite Trump’s Tariff Rollbacks 
Wall Street Ends Higher as S&P 500, Nasdaq Extend Gains Ahead of Holiday Week 
IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement With Egypt, Opening Path to $3.8 Billion in Funding 
Yen Stabilizes Near Lows as Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene Amid Dollar Weakness 
U.S. Dollar Slips as Yen Finds Support on Intervention Signals and Geopolitical Risks Rise 
China Keeps Benchmark Lending Rates Steady as Economic Outlook Remains Cautious 
Oil Prices Plummet Following Israel’s Limited Strike on Iran
Oil prices plunged in early Asian trade on Monday as easing fears of a broader Middle East conflict following Israel’s strike on Iran caused a sell-off. Israel's attack over the weekend avoided critical oil and nuclear sites, prompting traders to remove the risk premium on crude prices.
Brent and WTI Futures Drop
Brent crude futures, expiring in December, dropped 4.1% to $72.97 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 4.2% to $68.76 per barrel. Both contracts neared their lowest levels since early October.
Limited Impact on Iranian Oil
Israel targeted Iranian military sites but refrained from striking the country's major oil and nuclear facilities. Although Iran minimized the attack’s significance, the country threatened retaliation. The market had anticipated a major escalation that could disrupt oil supplies from the region, but Israel’s restraint tempered those concerns.
Despite this, the broader conflict persists, with Israel continuing its military operations against Hamas and Hezbollah.
Global Demand Concerns Resurface
With the immediate Middle East tensions easing, attention turns to economic indicators. This week’s U.S. and Eurozone GDP data, along with China’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI), will provide insights into global oil demand. Additionally, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, the PCE price index, is due later this week.
