Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Oil prices held steady on Friday after a more than 1% drop in the previous session, as traders weighed the impact of newly announced U.S. tariffs and potential disruptions to Russian crude exports.
Brent crude futures inched up 0.06% to $71.74 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 0.01% to $69.27 by 1201 GMT. Despite the flat movement, Brent is on track to gain 4.9% for the week, with WTI set for a 6.4% weekly rise.
The rally earlier in the week followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose 100% secondary tariffs on nations purchasing Russian oil, specifically targeting China and India. Analysts warn such measures could disrupt up to 2.75 million barrels per day of Russian seaborne exports, potentially tightening global supply.
Attention shifted Friday to Trump’s broader tariff move. The president signed an executive order raising import duties to between 10% and 41% on dozens of trading partners, including Canada, India, and Taiwan, effective August 1. These higher tariffs could weigh on global economic growth and dampen fuel demand by driving up consumer prices.
Recent U.S. inflation data already shows price pressures from earlier tariffs, particularly in imported goods like furniture and recreation products. Rising inflation is expected to delay any Federal Reserve interest rate cuts until at least October, maintaining higher borrowing costs and limiting growth — factors that could restrain oil consumption.
While tariffs raise concerns over demand, fears of supply disruption from potential sanctions on Russian crude continue to provide upward support for oil markets, keeping prices volatile amid escalating geopolitical and trade tensions.
