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 
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Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
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Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
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 
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.
