WTI steadies near $57.50 as traders await OPEC+ meeting.WTI steadies near $57.50 as traders await OPEC+ meeting

Rupee to mark time with traders seeking visibility on New Year flows.The Indian rupee is likely to open largely flat on Friday, with traders settling into a wait-and-see mode as they assess the New Year flows after a year dominated by central bank intervention and underlying dollar demand.

Dollar makes a soft start to 2026 after sharpest drop in 8 years.The U.S. dollar made a feeble start to 2026 on Friday after struggling against most currencies last year, while the yen steadied near 10-month lows as traders awaited economic data this month to gauge the path of interest rates.

Ireland AIB Manufacturing PMI down to 52.2 in December from previous 52.8.Ireland AIB Manufacturing PMI down to 52.2 in December from previous 52.8

South Korea S&P Global Manufacturing PMI up to 50.1 in December from previous 49.4.South Korea S&P Global Manufacturing PMI up to 50.1 in December from previous 49.4

USD/JPY strengthens above 156.50 as BoJ's cautious tightening weighs on Japanese Yen.USD/JPY strengthens above 156.50 as BoJ's cautious tightening weighs on Japanese Yen

Australia S&P Global Manufacturing PMI dipped from previous 52.2 to 51.6 in December.Australia S&P Global Manufacturing PMI dipped from previous 52.2 to 51.6 in December

Australia manufacturing PMI holds 51.6 in December. Hiring accelerates & inflation firms..Australia's manufacturing sector ended 2025 on a modestly positive footing, with activity continuing to expand in December despite signs of easing momentum. According to PMI data from S&P Global, growth in new orders and output was sustained, hiring strengthened, and business confidence improved, even as supply constraints and cost pressures intensified.

ICYMI: China slaps 55% tariff on excess beef imports under new three-year safeguard regime.China has announced new safeguard measures on beef imports, imposing a steep 55% tariff on volumes that exceed newly defined country-level quotas, in a move aimed at protecting its domestic cattle industry. The measures will take effect from January 1, 2026, and remain in place for three years, with quotas set to rise modestly each year

Dollar Dominance To End In 2026? Greenback's 'Controlled Decline' On Cards Amid Policy Uncertainty, Deficits, Rise Of Digital Assets.The U.S. dollar faces a defining year in 2026 as structural headwinds threaten its long-standing hegemony. While the greenback remains the primary global reserve currency, mounting U.S. fiscal deficits, policy uncertainty, and the rise of digital assets have analysts predicting a “controlled decline,” marking a potential end to the era of effortless dollar strength.

Bulgaria celebrates entry into euro zone, lev currency banished into history.EU member Bulgaria marked its entry into the euro zone on Thursday with a display of euro coins on the facade of the central bank in Sofia and fireworks to celebrate a long-awaited milestone.

Rupee kicks off 2026 weaker on corporate dollar demand.The Indian rupee ‍welcomed 2026 with a marginal ​decline, weighed down by dollar demand from corporates, while ⁠thin volumes in the first trading of the New Year curbed any major movements, according to traders.

Natural Gas and Oil Forecast: Bearish EIA Data vs OPEC+ Support Keeps Prices Rangebound.Bearish EIA data pressures oil and gas prices, but OPEC+ supply restraint and strong China demand keep natural gas and oil prices trading sideways.

After Bulgaria, euro expansion faces hurdles in remaining EU states.Bulgaria became the 21st member of the euro zone on Thursday despite opposition from half its electorate, leaving only a handful of countries in the 27-member European Union yet to adopt the currency.

Oil and Natural Gas Analysis: Bearish Breakdown in 2025 Signals Weak Start to 2026.Oil prices fell nearly 20% in 2025, marking Brent's third straight annual loss, as oversupply fears driven by rising OPEC+ output, resilient U.S. shale production, and surging inventories outweighed geopolitical shocks.

Rupee traders look for cues after RBI dominates recent price action.Indian rupee traders are assessing the near-term outlook for the currency in the New Year, after repeated intervention by the Reserve Bank of India in December overwhelmed underlying demand–supply signals and shaped price action.

Japan business lobby chiefs urge government to tackle weak yen, media reports.Two major Japanese business lobbying groups called on the government to address the yen's weakness, which is inflating import costs and weighing on households and businesses, their chiefs told domestic media in separate interviews.

Natural Gas Price Forecast: Sellers Press Toward 200-Day Support at $3.57.Natural gas extended its bearish correction with a decisive breakdown, keeping sellers firmly in control as price accelerates toward the 200-day average and deeper Fibonacci support levels.

Pound Sterling to Dollar New Year Forecast: End-of-2025 Repositioning.The Pound US Dollar (GBP/USD) exchange rate slipped to a nine-day low on Wednesday as investors adjusted positions in end-of-year trade. Latest — Exchange Rates:Pound to Dollar (GBP/USD): 1.34497 (-0.13%)Euro to Dollar (EUR/USD): 1.17347 (-0.1%)Dollar to Japanese Yen (USD/JPY): 156.8115 (+0.28%) DAILY RECAP: After strengthening on.

United States EIA Natural Gas Storage Change registered at -38B above expectations (-53B).United States EIA Natural Gas Storage Change registered at -38B above expectations (-53B)

United States 4-Week Bill Auction unchanged at 3.59%.United States 4-Week Bill Auction unchanged at 3.59%

Switzerland's SNB sharply reduces foreign currency purchases in third quarter.The Swiss National Bank bought 75 million Swiss francs' ($95 million) worth of foreign currencies in the third quarter of 2025, a sharp reduction from the previous three-month period, data from the central bank showed on Wednesday.

Pound Sterling Price News and Forecast: Edges lower against US Dollar in final stretch to 2025.Pound Sterling Price News and Forecast: Edges lower against US Dollar in final stretch to 2025

Natural Gas News: Futures Down 6% Today as Warm Forecast and EIA Inventory Report Loom.Natural gas futures plunge 6% as warm 8-15 day weather forecast offsets cold snap. Critical support at $3.738 holds key before EIA inventory report.

United States 4-Week Bill Auction rose from previous 3.58% to 3.59%.United States 4-Week Bill Auction rose from previous 3.58% to 3.59%

Colombia National Jobless Rate declined to 7% in November from previous 8.2%.Colombia National Jobless Rate declined to 7% in November from previous 8.2%

Natural Gas Price Outlook – Natural Gas Plummets on Wednesday.I just don't see a reason to jump in on New Year's Eve and try to pick up cheap gas.

Crude Oil Price Outlook – Crude Oil Continues to Drift Higher.The light sweet crude oil market continues to drift a little bit higher on New Year's Eve, but let's be honest here, this is a market that is still pretty suppressed when it comes to risk appetite.

US initial jobless claims fall to 199k vs exp 215k.US initial jobless claims fell -16k to 199k in the week ending December 27, well below expectation of 215k. Four-week moving average of initial claims rose 2k to 219k.

United States Initial Jobless Claims below forecasts (220K) in December 26: Actual (199K).United States Initial Jobless Claims below forecasts (220K) in December 26: Actual (199K)