Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Oil prices edged higher on Monday as a newly reached trade deal between the United States and European Union, along with potential tariff relief with China, eased concerns over global economic activity and energy demand.
Brent crude futures gained 0.32% to $68.66 a barrel by 0035 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 0.34% to $65.38. Analysts attributed the rebound to improved market sentiment following Sunday’s U.S.-EU agreement, which imposes a reduced 15% tariff on most European goods, halving the previously threatened rate. The pact helped avert a larger trade conflict between two major economies that together account for nearly one-third of global trade.
Markets are also watching high-level U.S.-China negotiations in Stockholm aimed at extending a tariff truce ahead of the August 12 deadline, which could further stabilize global trade flows and boost oil demand forecasts.
Despite Monday’s uptick, oil prices remain pressured after settling last week at their lowest level in three weeks due to concerns over rising supply from Venezuela. State-owned PDVSA is preparing to restart joint ventures once U.S. authorizations for oil swaps are reinstated.
Meanwhile, OPEC+ is unlikely to revise its current plan to raise output by 548,000 barrels per day in August, with members seeking to regain market share amid strong summer demand. Global oil demand rose by 600,000 barrels per day in July, according to JP Morgan, while inventories increased by 1.6 million barrels per day.
In the Middle East, tensions remain high as Yemen’s Houthi forces threatened to target ships linked to Israeli ports in response to ongoing conflict in Gaza, raising geopolitical risks that could impact oil shipping routes.
