Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Oil prices climbed on Thursday as optimism over U.S. trade negotiations and a significant decline in crude inventories boosted market sentiment. Brent crude futures rose 0.4% to $68.75 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 0.4% to $65.50.
The increase follows President Donald Trump’s tariff agreement with Japan, which lowers auto import duties and includes a $550 billion U.S.-bound investment package. Analysts say progress in U.S.-EU trade talks, which may include a 15% baseline tariff with potential exemptions, is also improving risk appetite. However, ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions and unresolved Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations continue to cap further gains.
U.S. Energy Information Administration data showed crude inventories fell by 3.2 million barrels to 419 million last week, surpassing expectations of a 1.6 million-barrel draw. This stronger-than-expected decline eased supply concerns, supporting price stability.
Geopolitical risks remain in focus, with Russia and Ukraine engaging in talks over prisoner swaps but failing to bridge differences on a ceasefire. Additionally, foreign oil tankers were temporarily barred from loading at Russia’s Black Sea ports due to new regulations, disrupting exports from Kazakhstan via a consortium partly owned by U.S. energy companies.
The U.S. energy secretary indicated Washington may consider sanctioning Russian oil to pressure Moscow, while the European Union recently approved its 18th sanctions package, including a reduced price cap on Russian crude.
Analysts forecast WTI prices will remain range-bound between $60 and $70 in the near term, as traders weigh supply-side factors and geopolitical developments impacting global energy markets.
