BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Oil Prices Rebound After Sharp Decline
Oil prices rose in Asian markets on Wednesday, recovering from the previous session's 4% drop. The decline followed reports of the Lebanese group Hezbollah seeking a ceasefire with Israel, hinting at possible de-escalation in the ongoing Middle East conflict.
U.S. Inventory Surge Limits Gains
Despite the recovery, oil prices faced pressure due to a significant build in U.S. oil inventories. The American Petroleum Institute (API) reported a 10.9 million barrels increase, far exceeding expectations of 1.95 million barrels. This raised concerns over weakening U.S. fuel demand, especially in the wake of hurricanes affecting the mid-South.
Hurricane Milton and Oil Supply Concerns
Traders also monitored Hurricane Milton, a category-5 storm expected to make landfall in Florida. While the hurricane is unlikely to impact Gulf of Mexico oil operations, any potential disruptions are being closely watched.
Middle East Conflict Remains a Key Factor
The Middle East conflict continues to influence oil prices. Reports of a potential ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel could ease concerns over oil supply disruptions. However, tensions remain high, with the possibility of further escalations in the region.
Conclusion
Oil prices are reacting to a combination of U.S. inventory data, global supply concerns, and geopolitical tensions. While prices saw a slight recovery, market volatility is expected to continue in the near term.
