Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Oil prices edged higher in Asian trading Friday, supported by renewed hopes for China-U.S. trade talks that may ease tensions between the world’s top two oil consumers. Brent crude futures rose 0.8% to $62.62 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 0.9% to $59.19 by 02:11 GMT. However, both benchmarks remain down between 5% and 7% for the week, marking a second straight week of losses amid ongoing demand concerns.
China's commerce ministry signaled openness to resuming trade negotiations, stressing that any talks must be sincere and contingent on the removal of U.S. tariffs. This followed reports of outreach from U.S. officials and growing signs of Washington’s willingness to deescalate the trade dispute. The prolonged trade war had previously weighed heavily on crude prices, with mutual tariffs exceeding 100% and raising fears of reduced global oil demand.
Further pressuring the market, weak economic indicators from both the U.S. and China this week fueled concerns over slowing growth and energy consumption. Analysts remain cautious ahead of the upcoming OPEC+ meeting on May 5, where the group is expected to announce production hikes. Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s key member, has reportedly indicated reluctance to maintain deeper supply cuts, while several member nations plan to increase output from June.
Despite bearish signals, U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of secondary sanctions on Iranian oil buyers and new sanctions on Tehran offered temporary support to prices. These geopolitical developments, coupled with the OPEC+ decision and trade negotiation progress, will be key drivers for oil markets in the near term.
