Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Oil prices edged higher on Monday following optimistic signals from U.S.-China trade talks over the weekend. Brent crude futures rose 27 cents, or 0.4%, to $64.18 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 28 cents, or 0.5%, to $61.30. Both benchmarks had climbed more than $1 on Friday, capping a strong weekly gain of over 4%—their first since mid-April—amid easing fears of global economic strain from U.S. tariffs.
Investor sentiment improved after both Washington and Beijing described their discussions as productive. U.S. officials spoke of a "deal" aimed at reducing the trade deficit, while Chinese authorities reported reaching an "important consensus." A joint statement is expected Monday. Progress between the world's top two oil consumers is seen as bullish for crude demand, as trade normalization could drive higher industrial and transportation activity.
However, gains were tempered by plans from OPEC and allies (OPEC+) to increase oil output in May and June. Despite this, a Reuters survey revealed that OPEC production slightly declined in April, suggesting only a limited impact on supply. Analyst Toshitaka Tazawa of Fujitomi Securities noted that optimism over trade talks lifted sentiment, but rising supply and limited details from negotiations capped the rally.
Elsewhere, talks in Oman between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program ended with plans for further dialogue. A potential nuclear agreement could lead to increased Iranian oil exports, adding downward pressure on prices. Meanwhile, U.S. energy firms cut oil and gas rigs to their lowest level since January, according to Baker Hughes, signaling a possible slowdown in domestic output growth.
