China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
Oil prices continued to decline in Asian trading on Friday, hitting their lowest levels in five months as global markets reacted to geopolitical developments and growing concerns about oversupply. Brent crude futures slipped 0.2% to $60.95 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 0.2% to $57.36 per barrel by 21:14 ET (01:14 GMT). Both benchmarks were poised for a third consecutive weekly loss, falling between 2.5% and 2.9%.
The downturn came after U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to meet in Budapest to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. The announcement followed reports that Trump would also speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. While no date was set, the meeting marks the leaders’ second encounter since their August summit in Alaska. Analysts said progress toward a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire could pressure oil prices further, as it might lead to easing U.S. sanctions on Moscow and allow Russian oil exports to increase.
Adding to the bearish sentiment, U.S. data showed crude inventories rising by 3.5 million barrels last week, exceeding expectations and signaling weaker demand ahead of the winter season. Although gasoline and distillate stockpiles declined, the overall inventory build sparked concerns about slowing consumption.
Global demand worries were amplified by weak economic data from China and renewed trade tensions with the United States. The International Energy Agency (IEA) further dampened sentiment, forecasting a larger-than-expected supply surplus in 2026 and warning of deteriorating oil demand.
Oil prices briefly found support after Trump suggested India might halt Russian oil imports, but Indian officials offered little clarity. With geopolitical uncertainty, oversupply risks, and weakening demand, crude markets remain under pressure, suggesting further downside potential in the near term.
