Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Markets Rebound as Tech Rally Lifts Wall Street, Investors Brace for BOJ Rate Hike 
New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Oil prices climbed early Thursday as U.S. fuel inventories declined and geopolitical tensions escalated. Brent crude futures rose 0.57% to $71.18 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 0.51% to $67.50.
The price increase followed U.S. government data showing a larger-than-expected drop in distillate inventories, including diesel and heating oil, which fell by 2.8 million barrels—far exceeding the anticipated 300,000-barrel decline. However, U.S. crude stockpiles surged by 1.7 million barrels, surpassing forecasts of a 512,000-barrel rise.
Geopolitical risks also fueled market concerns. Israel launched a fresh ground operation in Gaza, breaking a nearly two-month ceasefire, while the U.S. continued airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen following the group's Red Sea attacks. Former U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to hold Iran accountable for future Houthi aggression.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hinted at potential progress toward a ceasefire with Russia, which could ease sanctions and reintroduce Russian oil supplies to global markets. Talks between Russian and U.S. officials are set to resume in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, according to Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
In the Americas, Chevron's CEO has requested the U.S. government to extend its deadline for winding down operations in Venezuela by 60 days beyond the original April 1 cutoff. Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, PDVSA, is reportedly planning to continue oil exports from its joint venture with Chevron.
With energy markets reacting to these global developments, investors remain focused on supply risks and potential shifts in geopolitical strategies that could impact oil prices further.
