Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Oil prices held steady on Monday as markets weighed new EU sanctions on Russian crude, increased Middle East production, and global economic worries linked to rising tariffs. Brent crude edged up 5 cents to $69.33 a barrel by 0040 GMT, following a 0.35% rise on Friday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 2 cents to $67.36, after a 0.30% uptick in the previous session.
The European Union approved its 18th round of sanctions against Russia over the ongoing Ukraine conflict, targeting Indian refiner Nayara Energy, which exports oil products made from Russian crude. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed the sanctions’ impact, claiming Russia had developed resistance. Rosneft, Russia’s largest oil company and a stakeholder in Nayara, denounced the move as unjust and harmful to India’s energy security.
Meanwhile, geopolitical attention is turning to Iran, another major oil producer under sanctions. Tehran plans to resume nuclear talks with Britain, France, and Germany in Istanbul on Friday. The negotiations come amid European threats to reimpose broader international sanctions if no diplomatic progress is made.
In the U.S., energy data showed a slight decline in oil activity. Baker Hughes reported the number of active oil rigs dropped by two to 422 last week—the lowest level since September 2021—potentially signaling tightening domestic supply.
Global trade tensions are also in focus. New U.S. tariffs on European imports are scheduled to begin August 1. However, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressed optimism about reaching a trade agreement with the EU before the deadline.
Traders continue to monitor these geopolitical and economic developments, with oil markets showing minimal movement as competing forces balance out.
