Oil Prices Stabilize at Start of 2026 as OPEC+ Policy and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
Singapore GDP Growth Surges in 2025 but Outlook Remains Cautious Amid Global Trade Risks 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
Asian Markets End Year on AI Optimism as Precious Metals and Currencies Shine 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
U.S. Stocks Slip as Gold Rebounds Ahead of Year-End, Markets Eye 2026 Outlook 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
Oil Prices Slide in 2025 as Oversupply and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
European stock markets traded slightly higher on Friday as investors remained cautious ahead of the release of critical U.S. nonfarm payrolls data, a report expected to influence expectations for Federal Reserve monetary policy in 2026. In early trading, Germany’s DAX rose 0.1%, France’s CAC 40 climbed 0.5%, and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 advanced 0.3%, reflecting guarded optimism across regional equities.
Global attention was firmly on the upcoming U.S. jobs report, which economists believe will show a slowing but resilient labor market. Forecasts suggest the U.S. economy added around 57,000 jobs in December, down from 64,000 in November. The data is closely watched as it could shape the Federal Reserve’s interest rate outlook after the central bank cut rates at its last three meetings in 2025, prioritizing concerns over labor market weakness despite persistent inflation pressures. While the Fed is widely expected to hold rates steady later this month, uncertainty remains over the timing and scale of any future rate cuts.
In Europe, sentiment was supported by stronger-than-expected German industrial production, which rose 0.8% month-on-month in November, defying forecasts for a decline and signaling potential recovery in the eurozone’s largest economy. Investors are also awaiting eurozone retail sales data, expected to confirm ongoing pressure on consumer spending.
Political and legal developments added another layer of uncertainty, including a potential U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the legality of Trump-era global tariffs and renewed focus on Greenland’s strategic importance amid U.S. interest in critical minerals.
Corporate news was dominated by the mining sector after Glencore confirmed early-stage talks over a possible acquisition by Rio Tinto, a deal that could create the world’s largest mining company. Elsewhere, U.K. retailer J Sainsbury upgraded its cash flow outlook following strong Christmas trading.
Oil prices rose for a third consecutive week, supported by geopolitical tensions in Iran and Venezuela, with Brent crude and WTI both gaining around 0.8%, underscoring ongoing concerns over global energy supply.
