Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Oil prices rose about 1% in early Asian trading on Monday after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) announced a smaller-than-expected production increase for November, easing market concerns over potential oversupply.
Brent crude futures gained 63 cents, or roughly 1%, to reach $65.16 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed 58 cents to $61.46. Analysts attribute the rise to OPEC+’s cautious move to boost output by only 137,000 barrels per day (bpd) next month—matching October’s modest increase.
Independent analyst Tina Teng said the price uptick was mainly driven by OPEC+’s decision to slow the pace of production hikes, aiming to stabilize oil markets after recent declines. However, she noted that crude prices may continue to face downward pressure due to a weakened global economic outlook.
In pre-meeting discussions, Russia pushed for maintaining the 137,000 bpd increase to prevent downward price pressure, while Saudi Arabia favored a larger output boost to regain market share. Despite these differing views, the group ultimately prioritized market balance amid fears of a potential supply glut.
Analysts from ANZ commented that the restrained production rise is “manageable” given ongoing supply disruptions tied to U.S. and European sanctions against Russia and Iran. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s intensified attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, including the Kirishi refinery, one of the country’s largest with an annual capacity exceeding 20 million tonnes, added further uncertainty to global supply stability.
Additionally, the Group of Seven (G7) finance ministers reaffirmed plans to tighten sanctions on Russian oil exports and penalize entities helping Moscow circumvent restrictions. These actions are part of the West’s continued efforts to limit Russia’s energy revenues amid its ongoing war in Ukraine.
With geopolitical tensions rising and economic forecasts softening, oil prices remain caught between tight supply conditions and sluggish global demand, leaving markets braced for continued volatility.
