Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Oil prices held steady in Asian trading on Friday, following sharp gains driven by drone strikes on Iraqi oil fields and signs of tightening global supply. Brent crude futures for September remained unchanged at $69.51 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude stayed flat at $67.51.
Despite rising over 1.5% on Thursday, oil benchmarks were still on track for weekly losses exceeding 1%, pressured by geopolitical developments. U.S. President Donald Trump eased sanctions threats against Russia, granting a 50-day deadline to end the Ukraine conflict, which trimmed bullish momentum seen earlier in the week.
Supply concerns resurfaced as drone attacks, reportedly launched by Iran-backed militias, disrupted about half of Iraqi Kurdistan’s crude output. However, Iraq’s federal government announced progress in talks with the Kurdistan Regional Government, signaling a potential resumption of oil exports to Turkey after a two-year pause.
Further support came from the latest U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data, which showed crude inventories fell by 3.9 million barrels last week—more than double analysts’ expectations. This decline underscores tightening conditions amid high summer demand.
OPEC maintained its oil demand forecasts for 2025 and 2026, citing optimism that global trade tensions may ease. Last week, oil prices climbed nearly 3% as the International Energy Agency (IEA) pointed to a tight prompt market, even as OPEC+ output exceeded expectations.
While rising output typically signals easing prices, the IEA warned that increasing refinery activity to meet seasonal demand could mask the true extent of supply constraints. This dynamic, combined with ongoing geopolitical risks, continues to support oil prices despite recent volatility.
