BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Fed Meeting Sparks Division as Markets Brace for Possible Rate Cut 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
U.S. Stocks Rise as Cooler Inflation Boosts Hopes for Fed Rate Cut 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Oil prices edged higher in Asian trading on Wednesday due to renewed concerns over global supply disruptions. Key drivers included looming U.S. sanctions on Russia, a U.S. export ban on Venezuelan crude, and stalled U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations—all ahead of a critical OPEC+ meeting.
As of 21:28 ET, Brent crude futures for July delivery rose 0.7% to $64.54 per barrel, while WTI crude gained 0.7% to $61.33. The rise follows the U.S. decision to bar Chevron (NYSE:CVX) from exporting oil from Venezuela. Although Chevron can maintain its Venezuelan assets, it cannot extract or export crude, tightening the overall supply outlook.
Markets are also on edge due to the upcoming OPEC+ meeting, where member states may agree to a 411,000 barrels-per-day output increase for July. The group has been gradually unwinding previous production cuts, having already boosted output in May and June. While this suggests increased future supply, geopolitical uncertainties continue to weigh heavily.
U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “playing with fire,” hinting at further sanctions that could disrupt Russian energy exports. Such moves would tighten the global oil market further, fueling bullish sentiment.
Meanwhile, the fifth round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks ended with minimal progress, especially regarding uranium enrichment—a sticking point that could delay any deal and prolong sanctions on Iranian oil exports.
Investors are also awaiting delayed inventory data from the American Petroleum Institute, typically a weekly signal for short-term oil demand and supply trends. The delay, caused by the U.S. Memorial Day holiday, adds another layer of uncertainty.
Together, geopolitical risks and supply constraints are reinforcing upward pressure on oil prices, with markets closely watching OPEC+ decisions and U.S. foreign policy developments.
