Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Oil prices edged higher in Asian trading on Monday as optimism grew that the U.S. government shutdown—the longest in history—could soon end, potentially revitalizing fuel demand in the world’s largest oil consumer. The rebound also came after last week’s nearly 2% decline, when fears of oversupply and weakening global demand weighed heavily on crude prices.
Brent crude futures for January delivery rose 0.7% to $64.06 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 0.7% to $60.03 by 20:32 ET (01:32 GMT). Analysts attributed the uptick partly to bargain buying after last week’s losses, alongside a boost from positive inflation data in China, the world’s top oil importer.
Market sentiment strengthened as reports indicated that several Democrats agreed to back a Republican spending bill funding the government through January 30, 2026. Voting in the Senate was still underway late Sunday, but investors viewed the bipartisan progress as a major step toward ending the shutdown. The closure had severely impacted air travel in key U.S. cities and raised concerns about reduced fuel consumption. A resolution could revive travel activity during the winter holiday season, supporting oil demand.
Traders are also eyeing the upcoming monthly reports from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the International Energy Agency (IEA), due Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. These reports are expected to shape market expectations, as the two organizations maintain differing views on supply and demand trends.
OPEC has already increased production by nearly 3 million barrels per day in 2025, sparking worries about a potential supply glut amid slower global growth. Despite recent price volatility, traders remain hopeful that easing political tensions and renewed economic activity could help stabilize oil markets.
