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Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
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Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Oil prices dropped at the start of Monday’s trading session as OPEC+ announced a larger-than-expected output hike, heightening concerns about a potential oversupply in the global market.
Brent crude futures slipped 67 cents, or 1%, to $67.63 a barrel as of 2308 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude saw a sharper decline, falling $1.20, or 1.8%, to $65.80 per barrel.
The drop follows OPEC+’s decision over the weekend to increase oil production by 548,000 barrels per day (bpd) in August. This marks a significant rise from previous monthly hikes of 411,000 bpd in May through July and 138,000 bpd in April. The meeting was the group’s first since recent geopolitical tensions—sparked by Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran—caused oil prices to spike and then retreat.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, known collectively as OPEC+, cited a stable global economic outlook and robust market fundamentals, such as low inventory levels, as justification for ramping up supply. However, the move has triggered market anxiety over whether the supply increase could outpace demand recovery, especially amid persistent economic uncertainties in major markets.
The decision underscores OPEC+’s balancing act between stabilizing prices and meeting growing global energy demands. While the group aims to support economic momentum by easing output restrictions, investors are wary that the rapid increase in supply could put downward pressure on oil prices in the short term.
As oil traders monitor upcoming demand data and geopolitical developments, market volatility is expected to persist. The next OPEC+ meeting will be closely watched for signs of any shift in production strategy.
