Fed Meeting Sparks Division as Markets Brace for Possible Rate Cut 
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth 
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Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
U.S. Stocks Rise as Cooler Inflation Boosts Hopes for Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
South Korea has raised concerns over the economic fallout from the recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran, particularly regarding the country’s trade and energy stability. First Vice Industry Minister Moon Shin-hak said Monday that the situation in the Middle East has entered a new phase, triggering fears over potential disruptions to exports and imports. His remarks came during a monthly export monitoring meeting, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
The warning comes as oil prices surged to their highest levels since January, with markets on edge over the possibility of Iranian retaliation. Analysts say any attempt by Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz—a vital route for nearly 20% of global crude oil supply—could send prices even higher and strain energy-dependent economies like South Korea.
South Korea, Asia’s fourth-largest economy, is highly reliant on exports and imported energy. In 2023, 72% of its crude oil imports came from the Middle East, underscoring its vulnerability to geopolitical shocks in the region.
In response to rising tensions, Seoul held an emergency security meeting on Sunday to assess the potential economic impact of the U.S. military action. As a precautionary diplomatic move, President Lee Jae Myung will skip this week’s NATO summit, citing uncertainties stemming from the situation in the Middle East.
The developments highlight South Korea’s exposure to global energy supply disruptions and the broader economic risks posed by escalating conflict in the region. As tensions rise, policymakers are closely monitoring oil prices and trade flows to mitigate the impact on the export-driven economy.
