Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
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 
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 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Oil prices dipped in early trading on Monday, following their largest weekly surge in over a year, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Brent crude futures fell by 0.5% to $77.62 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude slipped 0.5% to $74.03 per barrel.
Last week, Brent saw an 8% weekly gain—the most since January 2023—while WTI surged 9.1%, its largest increase since March 2023.
Independent analyst Tina Teng noted that the recent price dip is likely due to "profit-taking" after last week’s rally. However, fears of an escalating conflict between Israel and Iran continue to push oil prices higher. "Geopolitical tensions are now playing a key role in shaping market trends," Teng said.
Escalation in Middle East Tensions
On Sunday, Israel targeted Hezbollah positions in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, approaching the first anniversary of Hamas' attacks that led to ongoing conflict. Iran also launched missile attacks on Israel in response to Israeli actions in the region, increasing market uncertainty.
Geopolitical Risks and Oil Supply
Despite the oil price surge, ANZ Research believes the conflict's impact on global oil supply remains limited. The likelihood of a direct attack on Iran's oil facilities is seen as low, as this would disrupt international relations and provoke a severe response. Furthermore, OPEC's spare capacity, approximately 7 million barrels per day, provides a buffer against potential supply disruptions.
At its October 2 meeting, OPEC and its allies (OPEC+) maintained their oil output policy, with plans to start gradually increasing production in December.
