RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Oil prices were mostly unchanged during Asian trading on Friday, holding on to gains from earlier in the week as geopolitical tensions continued to underpin the market. However, thin holiday liquidity and limited participation from major financial centers restrained fresh price movements, keeping crude benchmarks in a narrow range.
As of early Asian hours, Brent crude futures for February delivery edged up slightly to around $62 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures traded near $58 per barrel. Both benchmarks were on track to post weekly gains of roughly 3%, supported by rising geopolitical risk premiums. Despite this short-term strength, oil prices remained under pressure on a yearly basis due to persistent oversupply concerns and softer global demand growth.
Geopolitical developments played a key role in stabilizing crude prices. Markets reacted to reports of increased U.S. pressure on Venezuelan oil exports, with Washington ordering U.S. forces to enforce a temporary “quarantine” on Venezuelan crude shipments. The move raised concerns over potential supply disruptions, particularly as Venezuela had recently increased oil exports to Asian buyers. The prospect of tighter supply from the OPEC member helped add support to oil prices.
Additional geopolitical risk emerged after U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that American forces carried out airstrikes against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria. Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest oil producers, has long been sensitive to security risks, and the strikes added to broader concerns about regional stability. These developments encouraged cautious buying in energy markets as traders factored in possible supply risks.
Despite recent gains, oil prices have struggled to maintain sustained rallies throughout the year. Brent crude was set to record an annual decline of nearly 16%, while WTI was heading for a drop of close to 19%. Concerns over global economic growth, rising non-OPEC production, and subdued demand expectations continued to weigh on sentiment.
With U.S. inventory data delayed due to the Christmas holiday and many global markets operating on reduced schedules, oil prices were expected to remain range-bound. Investors are likely to look to early January economic data and policy signals for clearer direction on crude demand and supply trends in the new year.
