Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Oil prices gained more than 1% in early Asian trading on Monday as traders reacted to OPEC+’s decision to maintain output cuts and growing geopolitical risks that could threaten global crude supply. Brent crude futures for February advanced 1.2% to $63.13 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures rose 1.2% to $59.27.
The latest boost in crude prices came after OPEC and its allies confirmed they will hold production levels steady through the first quarter. The alliance is keeping voluntary cuts of about 3.24 million barrels per day in place as it navigates uneven global demand and concerns about a potential surplus heading into 2026. The group also moved forward with plans to review members’ maximum production capacities between January and September 2026, a step analysts say could spark internal disputes as countries push for higher baselines to secure greater future quotas.
Market sentiment was further influenced by renewed supply concerns tied to rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela. U.S. President Donald Trump indicated he is considering closing Venezuelan airspace, intensifying fears of disruptions to the country’s roughly 800,000 barrels per day in oil exports, most of which are shipped to China. Analysts warn that any escalation could place a significant share of Venezuelan crude at risk.
Additional support for oil prices came from attacks over the weekend targeting Russian energy infrastructure. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) reported a suspension of loadings at its Novorossiysk terminal after a naval drone strike damaged a mooring point. The pipeline, which has transported an average of 1.48 million barrels per day this year, plays a critical role in moving Kazakh and Russian crude through the Black Sea. Any prolonged disruption could tighten global supply further, adding upward pressure to oil markets.
Overall, traders remain focused on the delicate balance between supply risks and uncertain demand as geopolitical tensions and strategic production decisions continue to influence crude price movements.
