Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
Asian Markets End Year on AI Optimism as Precious Metals and Currencies Shine 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
Oil Prices Slide in 2025 as Oversupply and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
Oil prices edged slightly higher on Friday, marking a steadier start to 2026 after suffering their steepest annual decline since 2020. Investors are cautiously balancing renewed geopolitical tensions with expectations that OPEC+ will keep its current supply strategy unchanged at an upcoming meeting, offering some support to crude markets.
As of late Friday trading, Brent crude futures for March delivery rose around 0.2% to trade near $60.97 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained a similar 0.2% to approximately $57.55 per barrel. Despite this modest rebound, both global oil benchmarks ended 2025 with losses of nearly 20%, weighed down by persistent concerns about global oversupply and uneven demand growth across major economies.
Market attention is now firmly focused on the OPEC+ meeting scheduled for January 4. The oil-producing alliance is widely expected to maintain its decision to pause further output increases in early 2026. This strategy was agreed upon late last year after crude prices came under heavy pressure, and analysts believe the group has little incentive to add more supply into an already well-balanced-to-oversupplied market. Expectations that OPEC+ will reaffirm its cautious stance have helped limit further downside in oil prices.
Geopolitical developments have also provided a degree of price support. U.S. President Donald Trump recently intensified pressure on Venezuela’s oil sector by imposing new sanctions on companies based in Hong Kong and mainland China. These measures target firms and vessels accused of assisting Venezuela in bypassing existing restrictions, raising concerns about potential disruptions to Venezuelan crude exports.
In addition, tensions between Russia and Ukraine resurfaced over the New Year period, with reports of attacks on Black Sea ports and related infrastructure. While such geopolitical risks have repeatedly threatened supply in the past, they were largely overshadowed in 2025 by a global supply glut, as OPEC+ gradually unwound production cuts and non-OPEC producers maintained high output levels.
Looking ahead, oil markets remain sensitive to policy decisions, geopolitical headlines, and demand signals, with investors closely watching whether supply discipline can help stabilize prices in 2026.
