China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Oil prices edged lower during Asian trading on Tuesday, pulling back slightly after sharp gains in the previous session, as markets weighed geopolitical supply risks against persistent concerns over slowing global demand and oversupply. Trading activity remained thin due to the year-end holiday period, contributing to muted price movements despite heightened international tensions.
Brent crude oil futures for February slipped 0.1% to trade near $61.98 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 0.2% to around $57.90 per barrel by late evening U.S. time. Although oil prices found some short-term support from geopolitical developments, they remain under pressure after posting deep losses earlier this year amid fears of a global economic slowdown and a potential supply glut.
Investor attention is increasingly focused on escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela. The U.S. reportedly attempted to seize another oil tanker linked to Venezuela, following President Donald Trump’s recent order to block sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving the country. Trump reiterated his hardline stance against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, stating that the U.S. intends to keep any seized crude oil and vessels, with options ranging from selling the oil to adding it to strategic reserves. Venezuela, the world’s 12th-largest oil producer with the largest proven oil reserves globally, could face further disruptions to its oil exports if U.S. actions intensify, particularly affecting shipments to major buyer China.
Meanwhile, supply risks from Eastern Europe and the Middle East also added a layer of uncertainty to the oil market. Ukraine reportedly carried out attacks on key Russian oil infrastructure, including a major terminal, a pipeline, and vessels, raising concerns about further disruptions to Russian crude exports already constrained by Western sanctions. Ongoing hostilities have reduced expectations for a near-term ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
In the Middle East, renewed tensions between Israel and Iran have resurfaced after reports of a potential new Israeli offensive and increased Iranian missile testing. Given the region’s importance to global oil supply, these developments continue to inject risk premiums into crude prices, even as demand-side pressures cap any sustained rally.
