Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Oil prices remained stable in Asian trading on Friday, holding onto gains from the previous session amid optimism over new U.S. trade agreements and expectations of Russian gasoline export cuts. Brent crude futures for September rose 0.2% to $69.29 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude edged up 0.2% to $66.13 per barrel as of 21:31 ET (01:31 GMT). Both benchmarks jumped over 1% on Thursday following data showing a sharp drop in U.S. crude inventories.
Market sentiment was lifted by reports of progress in trade talks between the U.S. and European Union, with a potential agreement replacing a previously threatened 30% tariff with a reduced 15% levy. India also signaled optimism about avoiding proposed U.S. tariffs, while Washington and Tokyo finalized a deal cutting import tariffs on Japanese goods to 15% from 25%. Analysts at ING noted that easing trade tensions could boost global demand, supporting oil consumption through increased transportation and industrial activity.
Additional support came from expectations that Russia will tighten restrictions on gasoline exports to curb rising domestic prices, potentially disrupting supply. This follows Thursday’s report of U.S. plans to allow limited oil operations in Venezuela, starting with Chevron, which could add over 200,000 barrels per day to U.S. refiners seeking heavier crude.
Traders are closely monitoring these developments as they weigh the impact of trade deals, Russian export measures, and potential Venezuelan supply on the broader supply-demand outlook for crude oil. The combination of easing trade tensions and potential supply disruptions could provide continued support for prices in the near term.
