Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Oil prices edged lower in Asian trading Thursday, easing after a recent rebound as concerns over a potential U.S. recession and increasing production weighed on sentiment. Brent crude futures slipped 0.2% to $70.83 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell to $67.24.
Despite a brief recovery from three-year lows, oil remains under pressure in 2025 due to softening demand and rising global supply. A weaker U.S. dollar and a sharper-than-expected decline in U.S. gasoline inventories provided temporary support, but worries over slowing economic growth and a U.S.-led trade war persist.
OPEC+ reported a production increase of 363,000 barrels per day in February, reaching 41.01 million bpd as the group continues to roll back production cuts. Kazakhstan led the rise, and additional output is expected in April, raising concerns of oversupply in a weakening market. However, OPEC+ maintained its 2025 demand growth forecast at 1.45 million bpd, expressing confidence in global economic resilience despite mounting trade tensions.
Investor sentiment remains fragile after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on steel and aluminum, warning of further trade restrictions. His aggressive stance on China, the world’s top oil importer, has fueled fears that escalating trade tensions could dampen demand.
A softer-than-expected U.S. consumer price index report temporarily lifted oil prices by weakening the dollar, but concerns over a potential recession linger. Market watchers now await the U.S. producer price index report for further economic signals.
With global supply rising and demand outlook uncertain, oil markets remain volatile, driven by economic headwinds and geopolitical risks.
