Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Oil prices slipped slightly in Asian trading on Wednesday, extending losses as escalating U.S.-China trade tensions and a warning from the International Energy Agency (IEA) about a potential supply glut dampened sentiment. Both Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude remained near five-month lows, pressured by fears that renewed trade conflicts could weaken global demand.
Brent crude futures for December edged down 0.2% to $62.26 per barrel, while WTI crude fell 0.2% to $58.18 by 21:39 ET (01:39 GMT). The declines followed a sharp selloff earlier in the week after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese imports, triggering market anxiety and a strong response from Beijing. The growing risk of a trade war between the world’s two largest economies fueled concerns of slower global growth and weaker energy consumption.
Adding to the bearish tone, China’s latest inflation data came in weaker than expected, reinforcing signs of persistent economic softness in the world’s biggest oil importer.
Meanwhile, the IEA’s latest monthly report warned that global oil markets could face a significant oversupply by 2026—potentially as much as four million barrels per day. The agency attributed this forecast to increased production, particularly from OPEC members, combined with slower demand growth. The IEA also revised down its demand forecasts for both 2025 and 2026.
In contrast, OPEC’s recent report painted a more optimistic outlook, predicting stronger demand growth and justifying its steady increase in output this year after reversing two years of production cuts. However, the group’s push for market share has fueled fears of an eventual glut amid waning consumption trends.
Despite the bearish backdrop, losses in oil were capped slightly by a weaker U.S. dollar after dovish comments from Federal Reserve officials. Traders now await upcoming U.S. inventory data for further clues on energy demand, particularly as the country grapples with a prolonged government shutdown.
