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 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Policy Clues in Holiday-Thinned Trade 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
Citi Forecasts a Volatile but Ongoing Bull Market for S&P 500 in 2026 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Stabilize at Start of 2026 as OPEC+ Policy and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Asian Markets End Year on AI Optimism as Precious Metals and Currencies Shine 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
Oil prices extended their upward momentum on Monday, building on gains of more than 2% from the previous session, as escalating geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran continued to unsettle energy markets. Investor concerns over potential supply disruptions outweighed news that Kazakhstan’s key oil export route had fully resumed operations, keeping crude prices supported near multi-month highs.
Brent crude futures edged up by 12 cents, or 0.18%, to trade around $66 a barrel in early Asian hours, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 14 cents, or 0.23%, to approximately $61.21 a barrel. Both benchmarks recorded weekly gains of about 2.7% on Friday, marking their highest closing levels since mid-January and highlighting renewed bullish sentiment in the oil market.
The primary driver behind the recent rally has been rising geopolitical risk in the Middle East. A U.S. military aircraft carrier strike group and additional assets are expected to arrive in the region in the coming days, heightening fears of potential conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump recently stated that an “armada” was heading toward Iran, while expressing hope that military force would not be necessary. He also warned Tehran against killing protesters or reviving its nuclear program. In response, a senior Iranian official said any attack would be considered an all-out war, further intensifying market anxiety.
Market analysts note that these developments have added a noticeable risk premium to crude prices. According to IG market analyst Tony Sycamore, the prospect of U.S. military action has reignited fears of supply disruptions, supporting oil prices and driving broader risk-averse flows across global markets.
Meanwhile, supply-side fundamentals offered mixed signals. Kazakhstan’s Caspian Pipeline Consortium confirmed that it had returned to full loading capacity at its Black Sea terminal after completing maintenance work, easing some concerns about export constraints. However, in the United States, severe winter weather has disrupted energy production. JPMorgan analysts estimate that oil output losses of around 250,000 barrels per day have occurred across regions such as the Bakken, Oklahoma, and parts of Texas. Crude and natural gas production declines, combined with spiking spot power prices, have added further support to oil prices.
Overall, oil markets remain highly sensitive to geopolitical headlines and weather-related supply risks, suggesting continued volatility in the near term.
