Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
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 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Austria’s AA Credit Rating Affirmed as Fitch Highlights Stable Outlook 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Oil prices spiked on Monday, reaching their highest levels since January, after the U.S. joined Israel in striking Iran’s nuclear facilities, intensifying Middle East tensions and raising concerns about crude supply disruptions. Brent crude rose $1.88, or 2.44%, to $78.89 a barrel by 1122 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) climbed $1.87, or 2.53%, to $75.71. Both benchmarks had earlier surged over 3% to $81.40 and $78.40, respectively.
The escalation followed President Donald Trump’s announcement that U.S. forces had “obliterated” Iran’s key nuclear sites. Iran, OPEC’s third-largest oil producer, vowed retaliation, stoking fears of a potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz— a crucial chokepoint for about 20% of global oil shipments.
Iran’s Press TV reported that its parliament approved a measure to close the strait, though such threats have never been carried out. Market experts warn that even without a full closure, the threat alone may disrupt shipping activity and lead to reduced exports. Senior analyst June Goh of Sparta Commodities noted the elevated risk to regional oil infrastructure and warned that many shippers might avoid the area altogether.
Since the conflict reignited on June 13, Brent has surged roughly 13%, and WTI has gained about 10%. However, analysts caution that the current geopolitical risk premium could fade if there are no tangible supply interruptions. Ole Hansen of Saxo Bank also noted that recent profit-taking on long positions could limit further price increases.
While alternative pipelines exist, full compensation for lost shipments via the Strait of Hormuz remains unlikely, leaving markets on edge and oil prices sensitive to further geopolitical developments.
