IMF - Kazakhstan's growth was strong in the first half of 2018 at 4.2 percent, led by manufacturing, oil, and a recovery of credit growth. With base effects from high growth in late 2017, the team forecasts growth of 3.7 percent in 2018, and as oil production gains moderate, 3.1 percent in 2019.

IMF - The Japanese economy is growing above its estimated potential. After a temporary soft patch early in the year, domestic demand recovered in the second quarter. With external demand expected to remain supportive, and despite recent natural disasters, real GDP growth is projected to remain above trend in 2018 at 1.1 percent.

IMF - IMF staff and the Argentine authorities have reached a staff-level agreement on the second review of the economic program supported by the Stand-By Arrangement. Completion of the review is subject to the approval of the IMF’s Executive Board and would make available SDR 5.5 billion (about US$7.6 billion).

PLATTS - Federal Iraq's crude oil exports fell to 3.372 million b/d in November, the lowest since April this year, as loadings were affected by rough weather, according to a statement from the oil ministry released over the weekend.

PLATTS - Argentina's state-run energy company YPF and Malaysia's Petronas agreed Tuesday to invest $2.3 billion in a shale oil project in Vaca Muerta, with a target of reaching 60,000 b/d of oil equivalent by 2022.

PLATTS - Oil production averaged 2.614 million b/d in October, jumping 5.2% from 2.486 million b/d in September, Brazil's National Petroleum Agency, or ANP, said late Monday. October's output, however, was down 0.5% from 2.627 million b/d in October 2017, the ANP said.

МИНФИН РОССИИ - Средняя цена нефти марки Urals по итогам января – ноября 2018 года составила $ 70,92 за баррель. В 2017 году средняя цена на Urals в январе – ноябре составила $ 52,17 за баррель. Средняя цена на нефть марки Urals в ноябре 2018 года сложилась в размере $ 64,80 за баррель, что в 1,04 раза выше, чем в ноябре 2017 года ($61,97 за баррель)

REUTERS - Gas production at the earthquake-prone Groningen field will drop by at least 75 percent in the next five years, ahead of schedule towards the projected end of extraction.

REUTERS - International Brent crude oil futures LCOc1 were at $60.87 per barrel at 0508 GMT, down $1.21, or 2 percent, from their last close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 were at $52.33 per barrel, down 92 cents, or 1.7 percent.

IEA - Based on the latest available energy data, energy-related CO2 emissions in North America, the European Union and other advanced economies in Asia Pacific grew, as higher oil and gas use more than offset declining coal consumption. As a result, the IEA expects CO2 emissions in these economies to increase by around 0.5% in 2018.

ROSATOM - Aleksey Likhachev emphasized: “We are happy to share our more than 70 years’ expertise in the field of peaceful use of nuclear technologies with our Rwandan partners. We hope that our cooperation in that area will contribute to the economic growth and improve the quality of life of the Rwandan population”.

LUKOIL - President of PJSC LUKOIL Vagit Alekperov and Chairman of the Management Board of JSC NC KazMunayGas Alik Aidarbayev signed agreements on joint cooperation and financing of the Zhenis project in the Kazakhstan's sector of the Caspian Sea. The documents set the terms of the block's development.

МИНФИН РОССИИ - По состоянию на 1 декабря 2018 г. объем ФНБ составил 4 567 747,3 млн. рублей, что эквивалентно 68 549,6 млн. долл. США. Совокупный доход от размещения средств Фонда в разрешенные финансовые активы в 2018 г. составил 53 063,7 млн. рублей, что эквивалентно 847,5 млн. долл. США.

IMF - Rwanda’s real GDP growth has been recovering over the past four quarters and averaged 8.6 percent in the first half of 2018.

OPEC - In 2018, oil demand growth is anticipated to increase by 1.50 mb/d y-o-y, a downward revision from the previous month of 40 tb/d, mainly due to weaker-than-expected oil demand data from the Middle East and, to a lesser extent, China during 3Q18. Expected total oil demand for the year is anticipated to reach 98.79 mb/d. In 2019, world oil demand growth is forecast to grow by 1.29 mb/d y-o-y, about 70 tb/d lower than last month’s projection, with total world consumption to reach 100.08 mb/d.

SHANA - Asked about potential OPEC production cuts, Mr. Zangeneh said, “Different figures are proposed and we must wait and see what decision OPEC members will make.” He also said that $60 to $70 dollars per barrel would be reasonable for crude oil.

WSJ - Russia and Saudi Arabia have agreed to extend OPEC’s efforts to stabilize oil markets, Russian President Vladimir Putin said over the weekend, as the broader coalition of producers inches closer to a deal this week.

U.S. BEA - The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced that the goods and services deficit was $55.5 billion in October, up $0.9 billion from $54.6 billion in September,

REUTERS - Electricity generation from French wind turbines rose 17.5 percent in October, boosting French power generation from renewable sources which rose during the month alongside nuclear output, while coal and gas-fired generation fell.

REUTERS - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a new NZ$100 million ($69.28 million) green investment fund on Wednesday, aimed at boosting private-sector participation in a campaign to achieve zero net carbon emissions by 2050.