Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Fed Decision and US-Iran Deal Details 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Yen Near 40-Year Lows Despite BOJ Rate Hike, Markets Brace for Possible Intervention 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Dollar Surges After Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Potential Tightening Ahead 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low; Gold Falls and Oil Mixed 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene as USD/JPY Nears 161 Amid Yen Weakness 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Global oil prices declined sharply in 2025, with Brent crude posting its longest stretch of annual losses on record as rising supply continued to outpace demand despite persistent geopolitical tensions. Brent crude futures fell more than 10% over the year and were down nearly 18% overall, marking their steepest annual percentage decline since 2018 and extending losses for a third consecutive year. The March Brent contract was trading around $61.27 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude hovered near $57.90, heading toward a 15% yearly drop.
Oil markets began the year on a stronger footing after former U.S. President Joe Biden imposed tougher sanctions on Russia, disrupting energy supplies to major buyers such as China and India. Prices were further supported by escalating geopolitical events, including intensified fighting in Ukraine, drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, disruptions to Kazakhstan’s oil exports, and a brief but significant Iran-Israel conflict that threatened shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes.
Additional uncertainty came from conflicts involving key producers. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates remained embroiled in tensions linked to Yemen, while U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a blockade on Venezuelan oil exports and warned of potential further strikes on Iran. These developments initially added a risk premium to oil prices.
However, market sentiment shifted as OPEC+ accelerated output increases, releasing nearly 2.9 million barrels per day into global markets since April. At the same time, concerns over higher U.S. tariffs and their impact on global economic growth weighed on fuel demand expectations. OPEC+ has since paused further output hikes for the first quarter of 2026, with its next meeting scheduled for January 4.
Looking ahead, most analysts expect oil supply to exceed demand in 2026. Estimates range from a surplus of nearly 4 million barrels per day by the International Energy Agency to about 2 million barrels per day projected by Goldman Sachs. Analysts suggest that if prices fall further into the low $50 range, OPEC+ may consider renewed production cuts, but if current price levels persist, producers could continue unwinding existing cuts.
