U.S. Stocks Slip as Gold Rebounds Ahead of Year-End, Markets Eye 2026 Outlook 
U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
Asian Markets End Year on AI Optimism as Precious Metals and Currencies Shine 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
Oil prices rebounded on Friday after sharp losses a day earlier, driven by renewed geopolitical tensions involving Iran and concerns that potential military action could disrupt global oil supplies. Brent crude futures for March climbed 35 cents, or 0.55%, to $64.41 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 33 cents, or 0.56%, to $59.69 per barrel during early Asian trading hours.
The rebound followed comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned that the United States has a military “armada” heading toward Iran, raising fears of escalating conflict in the Middle East. Although Trump expressed hope that force would not be used, his renewed threats against Tehran reignited market anxiety over supply disruptions. A U.S. official confirmed that warships, including an aircraft carrier and guided missile destroyers, are expected to arrive in the region in the coming days.
Iran, the fourth-largest producer within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), plays a crucial role in global oil markets and remains a major supplier to China, the world’s second-largest oil consumer. Any disruption to Iranian exports could tighten supply and push crude prices higher, making geopolitical developments a key driver for oil traders.
Despite Friday’s rebound, both Brent and WTI had slumped nearly 2% on Thursday as markets reacted to bearish U.S. inventory data. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that crude stockpiles increased by 3.6 million barrels in the week ending January 16, significantly higher than the 1.1 million-barrel build forecast by analysts. The rise also exceeded the 3 million-barrel increase reported earlier by the American Petroleum Institute, signaling weaker fuel demand in the world’s largest oil-consuming nation.
Oil prices are still on track for modest weekly gains of around 0.6%, supported earlier by broader geopolitical uncertainty, including Trump’s controversial comments about Greenland. However, prices softened after he clarified that the U.S., Denmark, and NATO had reached an agreement allowing access to the Arctic island, easing fears of immediate conflict.
The delayed release of U.S. inventory data, due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, added to market volatility, leaving oil prices caught between rising geopolitical risks and weakening demand fundamentals.
