Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Oil prices rose in Asian trading on Friday, recovering from a three-week low and erasing much of their recent declines. The rebound came as traders grew more confident that strict U.S. sanctions on major Russian oil companies could help counter a projected global supply glut in 2026. Optimism also improved after the U.S. government reopened following a nearly 43-day shutdown, boosting expectations for stronger fuel demand.
Brent crude futures for January climbed 1.1% to $63.65 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 1% to reach $59.24 per barrel as of 20:08 ET (01:08 GMT). Market sentiment improved after the U.S. Treasury confirmed that sanctions announced in late October against Rosneft and Lukoil—Russia’s largest oil producers—will officially take effect on November 21. Both companies have already begun reducing certain operations ahead of the deadline, and analysts expect the restrictions to further hinder Russia’s ability to export crude. The sanctions are part of broader efforts to pressure Moscow into halting its conflict with Ukraine, although no meaningful progress has been made.
Despite the price rebound, oil remains under pressure as fears of oversupply continue to weigh on the market. Both Brent and WTI traded relatively flat this week after sliding to multi-week lows. The downturn was triggered by a bearish report from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which shifted its forecast to a slight surplus in 2026—contradicting its previously optimistic outlook. Prices fell sharply on Wednesday, dropping around 4% following the announcement.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) added further downward pressure on Thursday, projecting an even larger supply surplus next year driven by increased production from OPEC and other major oil-producing nations. The agency also warned that global oil demand growth is expected to slow, citing rising economic uncertainty and weaker consumption patterns worldwide.
Overall, while U.S.-Russia sanctions are offering near-term support, concerns surrounding a potential 2026 supply glut and softer demand expectations remain key challenges for the oil market.
