BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
Indonesia Stocks Face Fragile Sentiment After MSCI Warning and Market Rout 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
Japan Election Poll Signals Landslide Win for Sanae Takaichi, Raising Fiscal Policy Concerns 
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 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
Wall Street Slips as Tech Stocks Slide on AI Spending Fears and Earnings Concerns 
Oil Prices Surge Toward Biggest Monthly Gains in Years Amid Middle East Tensions 
Gold and Silver Prices Plunge as Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
Gold Prices Pull Back After Record Highs as January Rally Remains Strong 
Oil prices slipped in Asian trading on Thursday after new U.S. government data revealed a much larger-than-expected jump in crude inventories, adding fresh concerns about oversupply heading into 2025 and 2026. Brent crude futures for January delivery edged down 0.25% to $62.84 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) dropped 0.4% to $58.40 per barrel. The pullback came just a day after both benchmarks gained over 1% as traders increased expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut next month—an event that typically supports fuel demand and energy prices.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), crude stocks rose by 2.8 million barrels for the week ending Nov. 21, far surpassing analysts’ estimates of just a 55,000-barrel increase. Gasoline inventories grew by 2.5 million barrels, and distillate supplies expanded by 1.1 million barrels, pointing to mixed demand trends across the fuel market. Analysts at ING noted that the unexpected buildup was primarily driven by a sharp decline in crude exports combined with higher imports, a dynamic that added downward pressure on prices after Wednesday’s gains. The latest inventory figures fuel ongoing worries that rising production and steady stock growth could outweigh global demand in the coming years.
Geopolitical developments also weighed on market sentiment. The U.S. continues to push a new peace framework between Russia and Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy indicating readiness to consider the American-backed proposal. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to visit Moscow next week, raising speculation about a potential ceasefire or agreement that might ease Western restrictions on Russian oil exports. Any resolution that increases Russian supply could amplify existing market oversupply and further suppress prices. Analysts warned that a peace deal could eliminate much of the supply risk currently priced into the market.
With the OPEC+ meeting approaching this weekend, expectations lean toward the group maintaining current production levels, as the fundamental outlook remains similar to previous assessments. However, trading activity is likely to remain subdued due to the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday.
