China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Oil prices extended their decline in Asian trading on Monday, pressured by weak demand outlooks and expectations of an oversupplied market. Despite geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, both Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures remained near five-month lows.
Brent crude for December delivery slipped 0.3% to $61.11 per barrel, while WTI fell 0.4% to $57.33 per barrel by 20:40 ET (00:40 GMT). Both benchmarks dropped over 2% last week, reflecting continued market pessimism over global energy demand.
Although hostilities flared between Israel and Hamas over the weekend, oil prices saw limited upside. Israel confirmed the resumption of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza after retaliatory attacks left two Israeli soldiers and nearly 30 Palestinians dead. The truce, originally agreed upon in early October, had already dampened oil’s risk premium by reducing fears of broader regional disruption.
Investor focus also shifted to U.S. diplomatic efforts to mediate ceasefires between Russia and Ukraine, and renewed trade tensions between Washington and Beijing. These global uncertainties have compounded existing worries about slowing consumption and growing inventories.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) recently issued a bearish outlook, warning that consistent production hikes by OPEC and its allies could trigger a supply overhang as early as 2026. Meanwhile, sluggish economic data from top oil importer China, including the upcoming third-quarter GDP report, added to fears of softening demand.
In the U.S., the ongoing government shutdown has delayed key economic data releases and weighed on local fuel demand. Despite occasional support from conciliatory U.S.-China statements, traders remain cautious as rising output and weakening consumption threaten to deepen the oil market’s downturn.
