India Budget 2026: Modi Government Eyes Reforms Amid Global Uncertainty and Fiscal Pressures 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
Wall Street Slips as Tech Stocks Slide on AI Spending Fears and Earnings Concerns 
Japan Election Poll Signals Landslide Win for Sanae Takaichi, Raising Fiscal Policy Concerns 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
Indonesia Stocks Face Fragile Sentiment After MSCI Warning and Market Rout 
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.
