Gold and Silver Prices Plunge as Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
Dollar Holds Firm as Markets Weigh Warsh-Led Fed and Yen Weakness Ahead of Japan Election 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
EU Recovery Fund Faces Bottlenecks Despite Driving Digital and Green Projects 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
Oil prices climbed in Asian trading on Monday after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+) announced plans to pause production increases in the coming quarter. The move came amid growing concerns about an oversupply in the market and weaker global demand, helping stabilize prices that had previously faced downward pressure.
Brent crude futures for January rose 0.6% to $65.18 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 0.7% to $61.01 by 19:00 ET (00:00 GMT). The decision by OPEC+ to hold off on further production hikes in early 2026 followed a small increase of 137,000 barrels per day in December, consistent with the levels set for October and November. Overall, the group has raised output by about 2.9 million barrels per day in 2025, largely reversing the supply cuts implemented over the past two years to regain market share and offset low oil prices.
The cartel cited concerns about a potential supply glut and sluggish demand in the first quarter of 2026, traditionally one of the weakest periods for global oil consumption. Despite recent price gains, crude markets remain sensitive to signs of slowing economic growth and geopolitical tensions that could disrupt supply chains.
Adding to price support, Ukrainian forces launched a strike on one of Russia’s main Black Sea oil ports on Sunday, escalating fears of further disruptions in global energy supply. The attack, part of Kyiv’s broader strategy to undermine Russia’s war operations, followed Russian airstrikes on Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region that caused widespread power outages.
Meanwhile, U.S. sanctions on major Russian oil firms have tightened supply expectations, though analysts remain cautious as Russia has previously circumvented restrictions. Ongoing geopolitical risks and OPEC+ production restraint are expected to keep oil markets on edge in the near term.
