Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Oil Prices Rise as Geopolitical Tensions and Supply Risks Intensify 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
U.S. May Withhold $30.4 Million From Minnesota Over Improper Commercial Driver Licenses 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
U.S. Soybean Shipments to China Gain Momentum as Trade Tensions Ease 
RBA Signals Possible Rate Implications as Inflation Proves More Persistent 
South Korea Posts Stronger-Than-Expected 1.3% Economic Growth in Q3 
Japan’s Finance Minister Signals Alignment With BOJ as Rate Hike Speculation Grows 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
South Korea Inflation Edges Up in November as Food and Service Costs Climb 
U.S. Cyber Monday Online Sales Surge Past $9.1 Billion as Holiday Shopping Momentum Builds 
Oil Prices Slip as Russia-Ukraine Peace Hopes Fade and Oversupply Fears Grow 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Tech Stocks Lift S&P 500 as Fed Rate-Cut Expectations Rise 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Oil prices edged higher on Thursday as renewed Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s oil network signaled possible supply disruptions, while stalled peace negotiations dampened hopes of a swift resolution that could restore Russian crude to global markets. Brent crude climbed 24 cents to $62.91 and U.S. West Texas Intermediate gained 29 cents to $59.24 during early Asian trading.
The latest attack hit the Druzhba pipeline in Russia’s Tambov region—its fifth strike—raising concerns about potential bottlenecks in crude flows to Hungary and Slovakia. Although operators reported no immediate interruption, analysts say repeated drone strikes are placing consistent pressure on Russia’s refining capabilities. According to commodity consultancy Kpler, Ukraine’s drone campaign has evolved into a more “sustained and strategically coordinated” effort aimed at preventing refineries from stabilizing operations. As a result, Russian refining throughput has slipped to around 5 million barrels per day between September and November, a year-on-year decline of roughly 335,000 bpd. Gasoline output has been hit hardest, with gasoil production also noticeably lower.
Market sentiment also shifted as peace talks between U.S. President Donald Trump’s representatives and the Kremlin ended without concrete progress. With no clear path forward, expectations that Russian oil could soon re-enter an already oversupplied market have eased, providing marginal support for prices. Still, analysts caution that crude may continue to trade within a tight range as diplomatic efforts unfold. Vandana Hari of Vanda Insights noted that the market is likely to remain cautious while negotiations stagnate.
Adding to the pressure, Fitch Ratings revised down its 2025-2027 oil price forecasts, citing persistent oversupply and production growth expected to outpace demand. Despite geopolitical uncertainties, underlying fundamentals remain weak, limiting any significant upward momentum in crude prices.
