Geopolitical Shocks That Could Reshape Financial Markets in 2025 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Wall Street Analysts Weigh in on Latest NFP Data 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
European Stocks Rally on Chinese Growth and Mining Merger Speculation 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
U.S. Banks Report Strong Q4 Profits Amid Investment Banking Surge 
US Futures Rise as Investors Eye Earnings, Inflation Data, and Wildfire Impacts 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Stock Futures Dip as Investors Await Key Payrolls Data 
Moldova Criticizes Russia Amid Transdniestria Energy Crisis 
Oil prices rose over 1% on Thursday as cold weather across the U.S. and Europe increased demand for winter fuels. Brent crude climbed 1.29% to $77.14 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 1.15% to $74.16. This rebound follows a more than 1% drop in prices on Wednesday.
John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital, attributed the rise to growing demand for heating fuels, particularly in the U.S. Winter storm warnings covered regions from east Texas to northern Kentucky, with concerns about power outages along the Gulf Coast, according to TACenergy.
Refinery activity also played a key role. Refinery crude runs rose by 45,000 barrels per day last week, and utilization rates hit 93.3%, the highest since late 2018, according to the Energy Information Administration. Ultra-low sulfur diesel futures reached $2.39 per gallon, the highest since October.
Global oil demand is set to grow by 1.4 million barrels per day year-on-year in January, reaching 101.4 million barrels per day, according to JPMorgan analysts. This surge is driven by colder-than-usual winter conditions and increased travel in China ahead of the Lunar New Year.
Market indicators suggest tightening supply amid strong demand. The premium of front-month Brent contracts over six-month futures widened to its highest level since August, signaling concerns about declining supply.
Additionally, U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to announce new sanctions targeting Russia's economy, which could impact the global oil market. Analysts predict WTI prices will range between $67.55 and $77.95 into February as markets await further clarity on economic policies and China's fiscal measures.
This combination of factors highlights a dynamic energy market, shaped by seasonal demand, geopolitical shifts, and global economic trends.
