Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
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.
