Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip After CPI-Fueled Rally as Markets Weigh Economic Uncertainty 
BOJ Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Japan Signals Shift Toward Monetary Normalization 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
Asian Markets Rebound as Tech Rally Lifts Wall Street, Investors Brace for BOJ Rate Hike 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Oil prices remained relatively steady on Monday but ended the third quarter with a 17% decline as concerns over waning global demand overshadowed fears of a supply disruption from Middle East tensions.
Brent crude futures for November delivery, which expired on Monday, fell 21 cents, settling at $92.20 per barrel. Meanwhile, the more actively traded December contract rose by 27 cents to close at $92.25. Brent prices saw a 9% drop in September — the largest monthly decrease since November 2022. For the third quarter, Brent slumped by 17%, its biggest quarterly loss in a year.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures remained relatively unchanged, slipping by one cent to settle at $68.17. The U.S. benchmark saw a 7% decrease in September, marking the largest monthly decline since October 2022. For the quarter, WTI fell by 16%, the largest drop since Q3 of last year.
Geopolitical Tensions in the Middle East Add to Market Volatility
On Monday, oil prices found some support from speculation that Iran, a key OPEC producer, might become involved in the escalating Middle East conflict. Israel has intensified military operations against Hezbollah and Hamas leaders in Lebanon and has targeted Houthi positions in Yemen — all three groups are backed by Iran.
Economist Tim Snyder of Matador Economics noted that the market is assessing whether the conflict could expand, potentially affecting crude supply in the region.
China’s Economic Stimulus and Saudi Production Plans Weigh on Prices
China's recent fiscal stimulus measures to support the world's second-largest economy have had limited impact on oil prices, as traders remain skeptical about their potential to boost China's sluggish demand this year.
Moreover, prices were pressured by reports suggesting that Saudi Arabia, OPEC's de facto leader, is considering increasing oil production, effectively moving away from its unofficial target of $100 per barrel. Jim Ritterbusch, of energy consultancy Ritterbusch and Associates, indicated that Saudi Arabia’s plan to raise output in December could exert bearish pressure on the market in the coming weeks.
China’s Shrinking Manufacturing and Libyan Oil Production Recovery
Monday’s economic data revealed that China’s manufacturing sector contracted for the fifth month in a row, and the services sector sharply slowed in September, contributing to global demand concerns.
Additionally, the potential recovery in Libya's oil production weighed on the market. Libya's eastern-based parliament agreed to approve the nomination of a new central bank governor, a move that may help resolve political issues that have previously constrained the country's oil output.
