Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
South Korea Posts Stronger-Than-Expected 1.3% Economic Growth in Q3 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Japan’s Service Sector Sustains Growth Momentum in November 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Oil prices climbed in Asian trading on Monday after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+) announced plans to pause production increases in the coming quarter. The move came amid growing concerns about an oversupply in the market and weaker global demand, helping stabilize prices that had previously faced downward pressure.
Brent crude futures for January rose 0.6% to $65.18 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 0.7% to $61.01 by 19:00 ET (00:00 GMT). The decision by OPEC+ to hold off on further production hikes in early 2026 followed a small increase of 137,000 barrels per day in December, consistent with the levels set for October and November. Overall, the group has raised output by about 2.9 million barrels per day in 2025, largely reversing the supply cuts implemented over the past two years to regain market share and offset low oil prices.
The cartel cited concerns about a potential supply glut and sluggish demand in the first quarter of 2026, traditionally one of the weakest periods for global oil consumption. Despite recent price gains, crude markets remain sensitive to signs of slowing economic growth and geopolitical tensions that could disrupt supply chains.
Adding to price support, Ukrainian forces launched a strike on one of Russia’s main Black Sea oil ports on Sunday, escalating fears of further disruptions in global energy supply. The attack, part of Kyiv’s broader strategy to undermine Russia’s war operations, followed Russian airstrikes on Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region that caused widespread power outages.
Meanwhile, U.S. sanctions on major Russian oil firms have tightened supply expectations, though analysts remain cautious as Russia has previously circumvented restrictions. Ongoing geopolitical risks and OPEC+ production restraint are expected to keep oil markets on edge in the near term.
