South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
U.S. Stocks Slip as Gold Rebounds Ahead of Year-End, Markets Eye 2026 Outlook 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech and Financial Stocks Weigh on Markets Amid Thin Holiday Trading 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
Oil Prices Slide in 2025 as Oversupply and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
Citi Forecasts a Volatile but Ongoing Bull Market for S&P 500 in 2026 
Global oil prices edged lower on Tuesday even as a massive winter storm disrupted crude oil production and refinery operations across the United States, highlighting the market’s focus on broader demand concerns and supply expectations. Brent crude futures fell by 28 cents, or 0.4%, to $65.31 per barrel in early Asian trading, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude declined 24 cents, or 0.4%, to $60.39 per barrel.
Severe winter weather sweeping across the United States over the weekend significantly strained energy infrastructure, forcing oil producers to shut in as much as 2 million barrels per day, or roughly 15% of total U.S. oil output, according to analysts and traders. In addition to upstream disruptions, several refineries along the U.S. Gulf Coast reported operational issues linked to freezing temperatures, raising concerns about short-term fuel supply disruptions. Analysts noted that refinery outages can sometimes offset the bullish impact of reduced crude production by lowering near-term crude demand.
Despite these supply-side challenges, oil prices remained under pressure, suggesting that traders are weighing broader macroeconomic factors and future supply expectations more heavily. Daniel Hynes, an analyst at ANZ, said that while supply risks remain, they have not fully translated into sustained price gains.
Geopolitical tensions also remained in focus after a U.S. aircraft carrier and supporting warships arrived in the Middle East, according to U.S. officials. The deployment expands President Donald Trump’s ability to defend U.S. forces in the region and potentially respond to escalating tensions with Iran. Persistent Middle East tensions continue to represent a key upside risk for global oil markets.
Meanwhile, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, known collectively as OPEC+, are expected to maintain their pause on oil output increases for March. Eight OPEC+ members, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Iraq, Algeria, and Oman, are set to meet on February 1. Sources indicated that recent price support has been aided by a drop in Kazakhstan’s oil production, reinforcing expectations that OPEC+ will prioritize market stability in the near term.
