Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
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 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Oil prices gained modestly in Asian trading on Thursday, supported by a sharper-than-expected draw in U.S. crude inventories and renewed speculation about a potential U.S.–Russia peace proposal for Ukraine. Brent crude futures for January climbed 0.3% to $63.71 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 0.4% to $59.68 per barrel as traders reacted to fresh supply data and shifting geopolitical signals.
The latest report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration showed crude stockpiles declining by 3.4 million barrels for the week ending Nov. 14—far exceeding analyst forecasts of a 0.6-million-barrel draw. According to analysts at ING, the drop was driven by stronger crude exports, which increased by 1.34 million barrels per day compared with the previous week. Refinery activity also picked up, boosting crude oil inputs as refiners elevated run rates.
Despite the supportive crude figures, gasoline inventories rose by 2.3 million barrels and distillate stocks increased by 171,000 barrels, signaling a softer demand outlook for refined products. This mixed data led to cautious sentiment, as traders balanced tighter crude supplies against weaker consumption indicators in the fuel markets.
Geopolitical developments also added volatility to oil prices. The U.S. is preparing to implement new sanctions targeting Russia’s Rosneft and Lukoil on Nov. 21. These measures are designed to constrain Russia’s energy revenues and further restrict global flows of Russian crude. At the same time, reports suggested that U.S. and Russian officials have been discussing a new peace framework for Ukraine. According to Reuters, Washington has reportedly advised President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to consider a U.S.-drafted plan that would involve territorial concessions and weapons limitations.
Such diplomatic discussions could influence expectations for Russian oil supply if they result in reduced tensions or shifts in sanctions enforcement. ING analysts noted that signs of ongoing negotiations may ease concerns about harsher penalties on Moscow and how aggressively existing restrictions will be applied.
