S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
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 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Oil prices dipped in Asian trading on Monday as markets remained cautious ahead of potential new U.S. tariffs and a possible Russia-Ukraine peace agreement. Brent crude held steady at $74.76 a barrel, while WTI futures for March hovered at $70.69.
Investor sentiment was dampened by renewed trade war fears after President Trump’s tariff announcements last week, which could slow global economic growth and reduce crude demand. Analysts highlighted concerns over escalating U.S.-China trade tensions impacting energy markets.
Trump also hinted at an upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the Ukraine conflict. A peace deal could lift sanctions on Russian oil exports, boosting global supply and offsetting OPEC+ production cuts implemented earlier this year. Russia, a top oil producer, could significantly influence market dynamics if export restrictions ease.
Markets are also eyeing U.S. Federal Reserve comments this week after mixed inflation data. The Consumer Price Index rose 3% annually in January, up from 2.9% in December, tempering expectations for imminent interest rate cuts. Higher interest rates could strengthen the U.S. dollar, making oil more expensive for non-dollar holders and potentially reducing demand. Conversely, dovish signals could weaken the dollar, supporting oil prices.
