Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Oil prices held firm in early Tuesday trading, supported by concerns over potential supply disruptions from Russia after Ukrainian drone strikes on its refineries. Brent crude futures inched up 4 cents to $67.48 a barrel at 0000 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 2 cents to $63.32. Both benchmarks had gained in the previous session, with Brent settling 45 cents higher at $67.44 and WTI up 61 cents at $63.30.
Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure in an effort to weaken Moscow’s war capacity, heightening fears of supply shortages from a country that produces more than 10% of global crude. “Heightened fears of supply disruptions from Russia” are lending support to prices, noted IG market analyst Tony Sycamore.
Adding to the geopolitical risk, Israel launched a ground offensive in Gaza City on Monday, raising fresh concerns over Middle Eastern supply security.
On the economic front, investors are awaiting the U.S. Federal Reserve’s September 16–17 meeting, where a rate cut is widely expected. Lower interest rates could boost economic activity and fuel demand. The U.S. dollar index slipped to a one-week low, further supporting oil prices as a weaker dollar makes crude cheaper for buyers using other currencies.
Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ruled out additional tariffs on Chinese goods to pressure Beijing into reducing Russian oil purchases unless Europe imposed similar duties on China and India. In a separate development, Washington and Beijing reached a framework deal to transition TikTok to U.S. ownership, a rare sign of easing trade tensions. Past improvements in U.S.-China relations have boosted global risk sentiment and supported demand outlooks.
At under 300 words, the article highlights the interplay of geopolitical tensions, central bank policy, and currency shifts in shaping crude oil market sentiment.
