Asian markets traded unevenly on Thursday as investors weighed geopolitical risks, mixed signals from the US labour market, and sharp moves in commodities, while corporate earnings optimism was led by Samsung Electronics, which expects record quarterly profits on the back of an AI-driven memory chip boom.
The day’s developments also included escalating US actions on Venezuela’s oil flows, Washington’s decision to withdraw from dozens of international bodies, and fresh details on a major Chinese cyber-espionage campaign targeting US political institutions.
Asian markets and oil prices
Oil prices steadied after a sharp slide earlier in the week, even as broader risk sentiment remained fragile.
US crude rose 0.5% to $56.31 a barrel, while Brent futures gained 0.58% to $60.31.
Prices had fallen on expectations of higher Venezuelan crude output following political upheaval in the country, but some analysts said the market reaction may have been premature.
Daniel Hynes, senior commodity strategist at ANZ, said in a Reuters report that comments by US officials about controlling Venezuela’s oil sales could imply continued sanctions or restrictions in the near term, which would be supportive for prices.
The recovery came after the US seized two Venezuela-linked oil tankers in the Atlantic, including one sailing under a Russian flag, as part of President Donald Trump’s push to exert influence over oil flows in the Americas.
Equity markets in Asia were mixed.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.42%, while Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.74%.
US equity futures also fell with Nasdaq futures declining 0.23% and S&P 500 futures sliding 0.14%.
Investors were also focused on US nonfarm payrolls data due on Friday.
Goldman Sachs expects an above-consensus increase of 70,000 jobs in December, with the unemployment rate seen edging down to 4.5%.
Recent data, including the JOLTS report, suggested a subdued labour market marked by low hiring and low firing, reinforcing expectations of two Federal Reserve rate cuts this year.
Trump pulls US out of UN bodies
In Washington, President Trump ordered the U.S. government to withdraw from 66 international organizations, including 31 United Nations entities and 35 non-UN bodies.
A White House fact sheet said the groups “no longer serve American interests,” directing agencies to cease participation and funding.
The decision extends the administration’s retreat from international climate diplomacy, including exits from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which underpins the Paris Agreement.
Environmental groups warned the move could leave the US sidelined in global climate decision-making and forgo investment opportunities tied to clean energy.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the organizations were undermining US sovereignty and offered little in return for taxpayer funding.
The withdrawal comes shortly after the UN approved a 7% budget cut amid a financial crisis worsened by unpaid US dues.
China hacks US congressional email systems
Separately, Financial Times reported that Chinese intelligence agencies hacked email systems used by congressional staff on several powerful House committees, including those focused on China, foreign affairs, intelligence, and armed services.
The intrusions, detected in December, are linked to a cyber-espionage campaign known as “Salt Typhoon,” operated by China’s Ministry of State Security.
According to people familiar with the matter, the campaign has allowed access to unencrypted phone calls, texts, and voicemails of Americans, and in some cases email accounts.
It has also intercepted communications of senior US officials.
Chinese authorities denied the allegations, accusing Washington of spreading disinformation.
Samsung Electronics’ profit estimates
In corporate news, Samsung Electronics said it expects record, above-consensus earnings for the final quarter of 2025, highlighting the strength of an AI-driven rebound in the memory chip market.
The South Korean technology giant estimated an operating profit of about 20 trillion won ($13.81 billion), more than tripling from a year earlier and surpassing its previous record set in 2018.
Quarterly revenue is forecast at around 93 trillion won, up 23%, while full-year 2025 revenue is projected to rise 11% to 332.77 trillion won.
Analysts say tight supply and surging demand for AI-related memory have driven prices sharply higher.
Samsung shares have more than doubled over the past year, though the company continues to trail rival SK Hynix in high-bandwidth memory chips used in AI processors.
Samsung is due to release its full, audited earnings later this month, when investors will seek further clarity on the durability of the AI-led momentum.
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