Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Global Forex Markets Brace for Fed Decision as Yen Extends Weakness 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Oil Prices Slide on Demand Concerns
Oil prices fell sharply in Asian trading on Tuesday, continuing recent declines as worries over weakening global demand weighed heavily on the market. The drop was also influenced by reports that Israel would not target Iranian oil facilities, reducing fears of an escalation in Middle East tensions.
Brent crude futures fell by 3% to $75.16 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropped to $71.03 per barrel, both extending losses from earlier in the week.
China's Declining Demand Adds Pressure
China's fifth consecutive monthly decline in oil imports has sparked concerns about slowing demand. Traders were underwhelmed by recent economic support measures announced by China's Ministry of Finance, which lacked details on the timing and scale of efforts to boost consumption. China's weak economic conditions have further diminished its appetite for crude, pressuring oil prices.
Additionally, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) downgraded its global oil demand forecasts for the third month in a row. OPEC now expects a growth of 1.93 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2024, down from earlier estimates of 2.03 million bpd. The organization cited China's economic slowdown as a key factor in this revision.
Middle East Tensions Ease
Further weighing on oil prices, a report on Monday indicated that Israel will not attack Iran’s oil or nuclear facilities. This news has reduced the risk premium attached to oil prices, which had surged following Iran’s missile strike on Israel earlier in October. Traders now anticipate a less severe escalation in the region's conflict, providing some relief to the oil market.
