New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip After CPI-Fueled Rally as Markets Weigh Economic Uncertainty 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Oil prices fell over 1% on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump urged OPEC to reduce oil prices to pressure Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine war. Brent crude dropped 1.11% to $77.63 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) declined 1.19% to $73.77.
Trump reiterated his demand for OPEC to lower prices, arguing it would hurt Russia’s revenues and help end the conflict in Ukraine. He threatened sanctions and tariffs on Russia and OPEC countries if a resolution isn't reached. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed willingness to discuss oil prices and the war with Trump.
OPEC and its allies, including Russia, have not formally responded to Trump’s comments, maintaining plans to raise output starting in April. Despite recent price declines, analysts believe Russian production will remain stable. Goldman Sachs noted higher shipping rates and discounts on Russian oil continue to attract buyers, mitigating sanctions' impact.
JP Morgan analysts highlighted risks, with nearly 20% of the global Aframax fleet affected by sanctions, suggesting a cautious approach to future price projections.
Additional trade disruptions loom as Trump announced retaliatory tariffs and sanctions on Colombia, the largest exporter of crude to the U.S., after it blocked two U.S. military deportation flights. Colombia accounted for 183,000 barrels per day of U.S. seaborne imports in 2024, comprising 41% of its total exports.
The Energy Information Administration reported the U.S. imported 228,000 barrels per day of Colombian crude and related products in 2023. As tensions escalate, the energy market faces continued volatility and uncertainty.
