South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
Citi Forecasts a Volatile but Ongoing Bull Market for S&P 500 in 2026 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech and Financial Stocks Weigh on Markets Amid Thin Holiday Trading 
U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
Oil Prices Stabilize at Start of 2026 as OPEC+ Policy and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Stock Markets Start New Year Higher as Tech and AI Shares Drive Gains 
Oil prices traded mostly steady in Asia on Friday, holding on to gains from the previous session as geopolitical uncertainty and growing expectations of a U.S. Federal Reserve rate cut continued to support sentiment. As of 21:56 ET (02:56 GMT), Brent crude futures for February dipped 0.2% to $63.15 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude slipped 0.3% to $59.30 per barrel. Both benchmarks climbed nearly 1% on Thursday, with WTI poised for a weekly gain of about 1.5%.
The market found support after U.S.-Russia talks earlier this week produced no significant progress toward a Ukraine ceasefire. The stalled diplomatic efforts reduced hopes that sanctions on Russian oil would ease anytime soon, keeping a geopolitical risk premium embedded in crude markets. Analysts noted that continued uncertainty, coupled with recent Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy facilities, has strengthened expectations that global supply disruptions may persist.
At the same time, broader market sentiment improved as traders maintained strong bets that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at next week’s policy meeting. Futures markets currently price in a high likelihood of a 25-basis-point reduction, reflecting growing belief that the Fed may begin easing monetary policy as U.S. economic momentum cools. Additional support came from labor market data, with weekly jobless claims unexpectedly falling to 191,000 — the lowest since September 2022 — though economists cautioned that seasonal distortions could have influenced the figures. A weaker-than-expected private payrolls report showing a 32,000 job decline in November further signaled softening employment conditions.
Investors are now turning their attention to the upcoming U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index, the Fed’s preferred inflation measure. A softer reading could reinforce expectations of imminent rate cuts, offering additional support to oil prices amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.
