Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
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.
