Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Oil prices held largely steady in Asian trading on Monday following a sharp weekly decline of about 3%, with traders assessing the contrasting forces of potential peace progress in Ukraine and the impact of newly implemented U.S. sanctions on Russian oil exports. As of 20:50 ET (01:50 GMT), Brent crude for January delivery slipped 0.2% to $62.45 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) dipped 0.3% to $57.91 per barrel. Both benchmarks dropped more than 1% on Friday, hitting one-month lows and closing the week on a downtrend.
Market sentiment has been heavily influenced by renewed discussions surrounding a possible peace deal between the U.S. and Ukraine. Washington and Kyiv have agreed to an “updated and refined” framework aimed at ending the conflict with Russia. The revised proposal adjusts an earlier 28-point plan that Ukraine criticized as being too aligned with Moscow’s interests. Should meaningful progress occur, the possibility of sanctions easing—and with it, increased Russian crude supply—could pressure global oil prices by contributing to a potential supply surplus. Analysts at ING note that despite the updated roadmap, major hurdles remain, including territorial concessions and limits on Ukraine’s military capabilities, as well as the need for clear security guarantees.
Meanwhile, the oil market continues to monitor the latest round of U.S. sanctions targeting Russian energy majors Rosneft and Lukoil. The measures, which took effect on November 21, restrict global buyers and financial institutions from transacting with the companies, significantly complicating Russia’s export pathways. These sanctions could tighten supply in the short term, offering some support for prices even as speculation around a peace deal pushes in the opposite direction.
According to ING, any significant progress toward peace raises the odds of sanctions being relaxed or enforced less strictly. For now, uncertainty remains elevated, keeping oil markets caught between opposing geopolitical forces.
