Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Oil prices edged higher in Asian trading on Thursday, recovering slightly from sharp losses as traders assessed escalating U.S.-China trade tensions and surging U.S. crude stockpiles.
At 20:51 ET (01:51 GMT), Brent crude futures rose 0.2% to $74.75 per barrel, while WTI crude futures for March delivery increased 0.2% to $70.91 per barrel. This follows a 2% decline on Wednesday, with prices down 3.5% for the week, weighed by weak demand signals.
The White House’s 10% tariff on Chinese imports and Beijing’s retaliatory duties on U.S. crude, LNG, and coal have raised concerns over global oil demand. China, a major importer of American crude, had been purchasing about 1 million barrels per day, but the new tariffs could disrupt trade flows. Meanwhile, the U.S. tightened sanctions on Iran, aiming to reduce its oil exports to zero. Although this could limit global supply, its effect is being overshadowed by demand concerns.
Adding to bearish sentiment, U.S. crude inventories surged by 8.7 million barrels last week, significantly exceeding analysts’ expectations of a 2.4 million barrel increase, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Higher inventories indicate supply is outpacing consumption, pressuring oil prices further.
Gasoline stocks also climbed, while distillate inventories declined, signaling sluggish demand in the petroleum sector. Prices hit their lowest settlement of the year on Wednesday, reflecting a complex mix of supply constraints and demand uncertainties.
Analysts suggest continued volatility as traders weigh trade policies, inventory data, and broader economic conditions affecting global oil markets.
