Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Oil prices fell about 1% on Tuesday as traders weighed fading optimism over Russia-Ukraine peace talks against renewed concerns about global oversupply. Brent crude settled 1.14% lower at $62.45 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate dropped 1.15% to $58.64. The pullback followed gains of more than 1% for both benchmarks on Monday.
Market sentiment shifted as attention turned to diplomatic efforts in Moscow, where Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Analysts said expectations for a breakthrough that could ease restrictions on Russian oil exports initially supported prices, but confidence has since weakened. According to Clayton Seigle of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, any hopes for a quick resolution are likely premature, and geopolitical risks continue to threaten energy markets.
Oil traders also reacted to Putin’s sharp warnings to European powers, including threats to cut off Ukraine’s access to the sea following drone attacks on Russia’s “shadow fleet” in the Black Sea. At the same time, Putin is preparing for a visit to India to strengthen energy and defense ties, including potential expansions in Russian oil sales.
Phil Flynn of Price Futures Group noted that Russia’s mixed signals briefly boosted expectations for steady oil flows to India before Putin’s comments reignited concerns over stalled peace efforts.
Oversupply worries added further pressure, though they were partially offset by attacks on Russian infrastructure and rising tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela. Meanwhile, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium restarted shipments after a weekend drone strike, and a Russia-flagged tanker reported another attack near Turkey.
The U.S. API report showed crude, gasoline, and distillate stockpiles all rising in the week ended November 28, reinforcing fears of a growing supply glut. OPEC+ maintained its output targets for the first quarter of 2026, signaling caution as the group monitors potential market imbalances.
