South Korea’s Kospi hits fresh record high for second straight session amid regional declines as U.S.-Iran tensions take hold

The Seoul city skyline early on December 16, 2020. (Photo by Ed JONES / AFP) (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images) Ed Jones | Afp | Getty Images South Korea’s Kospi touched a record high for the second straight day on Friday, powered by a rally among insurance stocks and defense players. Samsung Life … Read more

Trump to decide whether to attack Iran in next 10 days — oil prices jump

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks during the inaugural meeting of the “Board of Peace” at the US Institute of Peace in Washington, DC, on February 19, 2026. Saul Loeb | Afp | Getty Images President Donald Trump said Thursday that he will decide whether to launch military strikes against Iran in the next 10 … Read more

Oil giants brace for a bruising earnings season — with shareholder returns at risk

The BP refinery in Lingen, Germany (aerial view with a drone). Picture Alliance | Picture Alliance | Getty Images European energy giants face some tough choices this earnings season, with shareholder payouts seen at risk as they look to cut costs amid lower crude prices. Western oil and gas majors have long sought to keep … Read more

Megacap earnings next week could lift a stock market that’s broadening out. Here’s what’s ahead

Megacap earnings results next week could lift a stock market that’s broadened out to include a larger number of winners. Earnings kick into high gear next week, with four of the so-called Magnificent Seven companies set to report: Meta Platforms , Microsoft , and Tesla report Wednesday, while Apple posts Thursday. But the group isn’t … Read more

Trump threatens to sideline Exxon from Venezuela’s oil: ‘They’re playing too cute’

Darren Woods, chairman and chief executive officer Exxon Mobil Corp., during a meeting with oil executives in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to sideline Exxon Mobil from Venezuela’s energy market, saying he didn’t … Read more

What Trump’s Venezuela intervention means for Guyana’s vast oil wealth

A woman holding an umbrella crosses a road at the entrance of Demerara Harbour Bridge with a sign that reads “Essequibo belongs to Guyana” in Georgetown on September 2, 2025. Joaquin Sarmiento | Afp | Getty Images The Trump administration’s military intervention in Venezuela is expected to radically reshape regional risk, including when it comes … Read more

U.S. may lift more Venezuela sanctions next week, Bessent says

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent speaks in the Oval Office of the White House where President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Dec. 11, 2025 in Washington, DC. Alex Wong | Getty Images U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has told Reuters that additional U.S. sanctions on Venezuela could be lifted as soon … Read more

Trump seeks to stop courts, creditors from seizing Venezuelan oil revenue in the U.S.

U.S. President Donald Trump takes questions from members of the media during a meeting with oil and gas executives in the East Room of the White House on Jan. 9, 2026 in Washington, DC. Alex Wong | Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order that aims to block the seizure … Read more

Watch: Trump meets with oil executives at the White House on Venezuela investment

President Donald Trump is meeting Friday afternoon with more than a dozen oil companies at the White House to discuss plans for investment in Venezuela, less than a week after the U.S. ousted President Nicolas Maduro. The CEOs of Exxon, ConocoPhillips, Shell and a representative from Chevron are attending, sources told CNBC’s Brian Sullivan. Representatives … Read more

Trump says Venezuela to give up to 50 million barrels of oil to U.S.

An oil tanker is docked at a pier at the El Palito refinery of the state oil company PDVSA. Jesus Vargas | Picture Alliance | Getty Images President Donald Trump said Tuesday evening that the interim authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil to the United … Read more