China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
Fed Meeting Sparks Division as Markets Brace for Possible Rate Cut 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
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 
Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
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 
Oil prices are poised to post a third consecutive weekly gain, driven by heightened geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran. Despite a dip on Friday, Brent crude futures were trading at $77.28 a barrel, down 2% for the day but up 3.9% for the week. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for July, which expires Friday, rose 1.1% to $76. The more actively traded August contract gained 0.7% to $74.
Thursday’s spike in oil prices—nearly 3%—followed escalating attacks, with Israel bombing nuclear facilities in Iran and Tehran retaliating with drone and missile strikes, including one that hit an Israeli hospital. The conflict shows no signs of de-escalation, raising fears of broader regional instability.
Analysts say concerns over potential disruptions to oil supply are driving prices higher. Tanker rates have doubled, and many ships are now rerouting to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil chokepoint through which up to 21 million barrels per day of crude and refined products are transported. Iran, a major OPEC producer, currently pumps around 3.3 million barrels per day.
Phil Flynn of The Price Futures Group noted that while no Iranian exports have been officially disrupted, the threat alone is enough to keep markets on edge. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to make Iran "pay the full price," while Tehran warned against third-party intervention.
Adding to uncertainty, the White House stated that President Donald Trump will decide within two weeks whether the U.S. will intervene. Analysts believe this timeline may be a strategic delay, keeping markets in suspense and oil prices supported.
With no diplomatic breakthrough in sight, energy markets remain on high alert, tracking every development in the volatile Middle East standoff.
