Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
South Korea Posts Stronger-Than-Expected 1.3% Economic Growth in Q3 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Oil prices fell on Wednesday as global financial markets experienced a broad selloff fueled by concerns over economic growth and weakening fuel demand. The stronger U.S. dollar and reports of rising crude inventories in the United States added further pressure on prices.
Brent crude futures dropped 36 cents, or 0.56%, to $64.08 a barrel by 0221 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude slipped 40 cents, or 0.66%, to $60.16. Both benchmarks extended losses from the previous session, mirroring declines in global equities.
Asian stock markets followed Wall Street’s overnight slump as investors grew increasingly cautious about stretched stock valuations—especially in sectors tied to artificial intelligence. The risk-off sentiment lifted the U.S. dollar against other major currencies, making dollar-denominated oil more expensive for foreign buyers and dampening demand.
“Crude oil is trading lower as risk sentiment shifted sharply negative, boosting the safe haven U.S. dollar, both of which weighed on crude prices,” said Tony Sycamore, market analyst at IG.
Adding to the bearish outlook, the American Petroleum Institute (API) reported that U.S. crude inventories rose by 6.52 million barrels for the week ending October 31, signaling weaker demand and higher supply.
On the production side, OPEC+—the alliance of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies—agreed to increase output by 137,000 barrels per day in December. The group also announced it would pause further hikes during the first quarter of 2026, though analysts at LSEG noted this move is unlikely to provide significant support for near-term prices.
OPEC’s own output in October rose modestly by 30,000 barrels per day, as gains were offset by declines in Nigeria, Libya, and Venezuela.
Overall, the combination of economic uncertainty, a stronger dollar, and rising inventories continues to weigh on oil market sentiment, keeping both Brent and WTI under pressure.
