Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Oil prices climbed early Thursday as U.S. fuel inventories declined and geopolitical tensions escalated. Brent crude futures rose 0.57% to $71.18 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 0.51% to $67.50.
The price increase followed U.S. government data showing a larger-than-expected drop in distillate inventories, including diesel and heating oil, which fell by 2.8 million barrels—far exceeding the anticipated 300,000-barrel decline. However, U.S. crude stockpiles surged by 1.7 million barrels, surpassing forecasts of a 512,000-barrel rise.
Geopolitical risks also fueled market concerns. Israel launched a fresh ground operation in Gaza, breaking a nearly two-month ceasefire, while the U.S. continued airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen following the group's Red Sea attacks. Former U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to hold Iran accountable for future Houthi aggression.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hinted at potential progress toward a ceasefire with Russia, which could ease sanctions and reintroduce Russian oil supplies to global markets. Talks between Russian and U.S. officials are set to resume in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, according to Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
In the Americas, Chevron's CEO has requested the U.S. government to extend its deadline for winding down operations in Venezuela by 60 days beyond the original April 1 cutoff. Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, PDVSA, is reportedly planning to continue oil exports from its joint venture with Chevron.
With energy markets reacting to these global developments, investors remain focused on supply risks and potential shifts in geopolitical strategies that could impact oil prices further.
