Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Fed Meeting Sparks Division as Markets Brace for Possible Rate Cut 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Austria’s AA Credit Rating Affirmed as Fitch Highlights Stable Outlook 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
U.S. Stocks Rise as Cooler Inflation Boosts Hopes for Fed Rate Cut 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Oil prices edged lower in Asian trading on Friday as traders weighed weak global economic signals against the potential for tighter supply. Brent crude futures for August slipped 0.1% to $65.27 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate fell 0.1% to $62.39 by 01:05 GMT.
Despite Friday’s dip, both Brent and WTI are on track for their first weekly gain in three weeks, rising between 2% and 4.5%. This rebound is driven by expectations of tighter global supply due to possible new U.S. sanctions on Iran and Russia, and OPEC+ sticking to its modest supply increase for July.
Geopolitical tensions also supported oil prices. Russia escalated military strikes on Ukraine in apparent retaliation for recent attacks on its infrastructure. The renewed violence follows a call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, complicating ceasefire efforts and increasing the likelihood of further Western sanctions on Russian oil exports. Lawmakers in Washington are reportedly pushing to expand sanctions to major Russian oil buyers, including China and India.
However, bearish demand signals are capping further gains. Soft economic data from the U.S. and China—two of the world’s largest oil consumers—has fueled concerns of slowing growth. An ongoing tariff exchange between the two countries adds further uncertainty, despite a recent call between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping that hinted at revived trade negotiations. Meanwhile, large builds in U.S. oil product inventories have also pressured sentiment.
While tighter supply prospects lend support, the market remains cautious as economic headwinds and geopolitical risks continue to cloud the outlook for global oil demand.
