Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Austria’s AA Credit Rating Affirmed as Fitch Highlights Stable Outlook 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Oil prices rose sharply in early Asian trading Monday following OPEC+’s decision to stick with its expected output increase. The group confirmed it would raise oil production by 411,000 barrels per day (bpd) in July, marking the third consecutive monthly hike of the same size. This move helped stabilize market sentiment after last week’s losses.
Brent crude futures climbed $1.06, or 1.69%, reaching $63.84 a barrel by 2244 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained $1.16, or 1.91%, to trade at $61.95 per barrel.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, collectively known as OPEC+, had been widely expected to maintain this level of production growth. Some market watchers had speculated about a larger-than-anticipated hike, which could have triggered a sharper market reaction.
Analyst Harry Tchilinguirian of Onyx Capital Group commented on LinkedIn that a surprise larger increase would have likely caused a significant price drop at Monday’s open. However, the group's decision to maintain the steady pace of output gains reassured traders and avoided market volatility.
Oil prices had slipped over 1% last week, as traders anticipated the outcome of the OPEC+ meeting. Monday’s price rebound reflects the market’s relief that the production hike aligned with forecasts, preventing an oversupply scenario.
By holding to a gradual increase, OPEC+ appears to be balancing its goals of regaining market share while managing price stability and punishing members who exceed production limits. The move signals the alliance’s intent to support crude prices amid ongoing global demand recovery.
