ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Oil prices hovered near two-week highs in early Wednesday trading, supported by a U.S.-China tariff truce and a weakening dollar. Brent crude slipped 10 cents to $66.53 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) dipped 7 cents to $63.60. Both benchmarks had surged over 2.5% the previous day.
The U.S. and China agreed to ease tariffs for 90 days, with the U.S. reducing duties to 30% from 145% and China cutting import taxes to 10% from 125%. This trade pause helped ease market concerns about global demand, pushing oil prices up over $1.60 on Tuesday.
Additionally, the dollar index dropped 0.67% following softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data. A weaker dollar typically boosts oil demand by making it cheaper for foreign buyers.
Rystad Energy analysts noted the tariff rollback has reduced "demand-side pessimism" but warned of potential lingering impacts. U.S. inventory data added further support. According to the American Petroleum Institute, gasoline inventories fell by 1.4 million barrels and distillate stocks dropped 3.7 million barrels, signaling strong fuel consumption. However, crude inventories rose by 4.3 million barrels, contrary to analysts’ expectations of a 1.1 million-barrel draw.
Markets await official figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration due later today. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s Gulf visit is in focus. He announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria and a $600 billion Saudi investment in the U.S. Rystad’s Mukesh Sahdev said Trump aims to stabilize summer oil prices, possibly by expanding U.S. Middle East crude reserves.
Geopolitical risks also persist. The U.S. imposed new sanctions on 20 firms linked to Iran’s oil exports to China amid nuclear talks, raising concerns over future supply disruptions.
