Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Oil prices held steady on Friday after a more than 1% drop in the previous session, as traders weighed the impact of newly announced U.S. tariffs and potential disruptions to Russian crude exports.
Brent crude futures inched up 0.06% to $71.74 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 0.01% to $69.27 by 1201 GMT. Despite the flat movement, Brent is on track to gain 4.9% for the week, with WTI set for a 6.4% weekly rise.
The rally earlier in the week followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose 100% secondary tariffs on nations purchasing Russian oil, specifically targeting China and India. Analysts warn such measures could disrupt up to 2.75 million barrels per day of Russian seaborne exports, potentially tightening global supply.
Attention shifted Friday to Trump’s broader tariff move. The president signed an executive order raising import duties to between 10% and 41% on dozens of trading partners, including Canada, India, and Taiwan, effective August 1. These higher tariffs could weigh on global economic growth and dampen fuel demand by driving up consumer prices.
Recent U.S. inflation data already shows price pressures from earlier tariffs, particularly in imported goods like furniture and recreation products. Rising inflation is expected to delay any Federal Reserve interest rate cuts until at least October, maintaining higher borrowing costs and limiting growth — factors that could restrain oil consumption.
While tariffs raise concerns over demand, fears of supply disruption from potential sanctions on Russian crude continue to provide upward support for oil markets, keeping prices volatile amid escalating geopolitical and trade tensions.
