RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Oil prices were largely unchanged in early Asian trade on Friday, stabilizing after a 1% drop in the previous session. The market’s earlier war risk premium eased following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, marking the first phase of a U.S.-brokered plan to end the Gaza conflict.
Brent crude futures edged up 9 cents, or 0.1%, to $65.31 per barrel by 0044 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 12 cents, or 0.2%, to $61.63. Both benchmarks remained on track for weekly gains of around 1.2%, recovering from steep losses last week.
The ceasefire deal, ratified by Israel’s government, includes a halt to hostilities, a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the release of hostages by Hamas in exchange for the freedom of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Analysts said the breakthrough significantly reduced geopolitical tensions that had fueled oil price volatility over the past two years.
According to ANZ analyst Daniel Hynes, the agreement “shifted market focus back to the looming oil surplus, as OPEC moves forward with unwinding production cuts.” The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) recently agreed to a smaller-than-expected output hike for November, slightly easing oversupply concerns.
However, broader market sentiment remains cautious. Investors are monitoring the potential impact of a prolonged U.S. government shutdown, which could weigh on economic growth and weaken oil demand. Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounding stalled peace talks in Ukraine continues to support prices, given ongoing sanctions on Russia — the world’s second-largest oil exporter.
Despite geopolitical developments, the oil market remains finely balanced, with traders closely watching OPEC+ production trends and global demand recovery signals as key drivers for near-term price direction.
