Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Oil prices slipped in Asian trading on Monday, extending last week's losses as weak U.S. economic data fueled concerns over slowing demand. Brent crude fell 0.3% to $74.24 per barrel, while WTI declined 0.4% to $69.97.
Recent U.S. data pointed to a potential economic slowdown, weighing on oil markets. February’s Services PMI dropped to 50.4 from 52.7 in January, signaling weaker private-sector growth. Meanwhile, the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index hit a 15-month low at 64.7, reflecting inflation worries and proposed tariffs.
Investors are also closely watching peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, which could impact global energy markets. The U.S. is mediating talks, with President Donald Trump engaging in high-level discussions. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insists on Ukraine’s direct involvement. A peace deal could ease sanctions on Russian energy exports, boosting oil supply and potentially lowering natural gas prices in Europe.
Despite the dip, supply disruptions limited further losses. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) saw reduced oil flows of 30-40% after a Ukrainian drone struck Russia’s Kropotkinskaya pumping station. Meanwhile, OPEC+ is considering postponing planned production hikes initially set for April, further tightening supply.
With economic concerns dampening demand and geopolitical factors influencing supply, oil markets remain volatile. Investors will monitor upcoming economic reports and diplomatic developments for further price direction.
