Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Oil Prices Plummet Following Israel’s Limited Strike on Iran
Oil prices plunged in early Asian trade on Monday as easing fears of a broader Middle East conflict following Israel’s strike on Iran caused a sell-off. Israel's attack over the weekend avoided critical oil and nuclear sites, prompting traders to remove the risk premium on crude prices.
Brent and WTI Futures Drop
Brent crude futures, expiring in December, dropped 4.1% to $72.97 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 4.2% to $68.76 per barrel. Both contracts neared their lowest levels since early October.
Limited Impact on Iranian Oil
Israel targeted Iranian military sites but refrained from striking the country's major oil and nuclear facilities. Although Iran minimized the attack’s significance, the country threatened retaliation. The market had anticipated a major escalation that could disrupt oil supplies from the region, but Israel’s restraint tempered those concerns.
Despite this, the broader conflict persists, with Israel continuing its military operations against Hamas and Hezbollah.
Global Demand Concerns Resurface
With the immediate Middle East tensions easing, attention turns to economic indicators. This week’s U.S. and Eurozone GDP data, along with China’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI), will provide insights into global oil demand. Additionally, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, the PCE price index, is due later this week.
