Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Oil prices held steady early Wednesday as uncertainty over escalating U.S.-China trade tensions and their potential impact on global economic growth kept markets cautious. Brent crude futures edged up 5 cents to $64.72 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 3 cents to $61.36. Both benchmarks fell 0.3% the previous day.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecast the slowest global oil demand growth in five years, citing rising U.S. tariffs and retaliatory measures from trade partners. The IEA now expects global demand to rise by only 730,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2025—down from last month’s estimate of 1.03 million bpd. This revision follows a similar cut by OPEC on Monday.
Market analysts note that unless stock markets recover from tariff-related pressures, crude prices may remain subdued. Tetsu Emori, CEO of Emori Fund Management, said a rebound could push WTI above $65, but without that support, prices may linger in the low $60s.
The trade war between the U.S. and China is already weighing on the energy market. President Trump’s steep tariffs on Chinese imports—now reaching 145%—have triggered swift retaliatory moves from Beijing, including halting new Boeing aircraft orders. Fears of a broader global recession are mounting.
Oil prices have dropped about 13% this month due to rising supply from OPEC+ and weaker demand forecasts. Major banks like UBS, HSBC, and BNP Paribas have cut their crude price outlooks accordingly.
Meanwhile, U.S. crude inventories rose by 2.4 million barrels last week, according to the American Petroleum Institute, while gasoline and distillate stocks fell by 3 million and 3.2 million barrels, respectively, reflecting shifting supply dynamics.
