U.S. President Donald Trump walks to the White House as he returns from Florida, in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 4, 2026.
Image: REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz
Wake up to the shifts shaping the future.
From boardroom shakeups and billion-dollar bets to the latest tech breakthroughs rewriting the rules, The Company Brief is your front-row seat to the stories moving markets and mindsets.
We cut through the noise so you can stay ahead of the curve, one bold business move at a time.
Stocks climb, oil volatile as investors assess Venezuela implications
Asian stocks climbed, and oil prices were choppy on Monday as investors considered the implications of U.S. military action in Venezuela to prepare for a packed week of economic data releases in the first full trading week of the year.MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 1.2%, while S&P 500 e-mini futures were 0.1% higher. Investors are assessing the repercussions of a dramatic weekend of events, which saw the U.S. capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he was putting Venezuela under temporary American control. Brent crude futures edged up 0.2% to $60.87 as oil markets assessed the impact from the U.S. intervention in Venezuela and a vote by OPEC+ on Sunday to keep oil output unchanged. Among regional share markets, the Nikkei 225 soared 2.8% to near a record high reached two months ago. Japanese stocks extended gains as data showed manufacturing activity stabilised in December, ending a five-month streak of deterioration. Seoul's Kospi and Taiwan climbed more than 2% apiece to hit fresh record highs. Markets in China were more muted, with the Hang Seng Index up 0.1%, dragged down by Chinese oil companies as a gauge of Hong Kong-listed energy stocks fell 3.1%. Australian shares were up 0.1%.
Here’s how much you’re likely to pay for petrol and diesel from January 7
South Africans can look forward to lower fuel prices this week, as a stronger rand and lower international oil prices have led to a significant over-recovery for both petrol and diesel. Month-end data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) is pointing to petrol price decreases of between 62 cents per litre for 93 Unleaded and 66 cents for 95 Unleaded. Diesel is looking set for price cuts of R1.36 for 500ppm and R1.49 for 50ppm. These cuts will bring the coastal prices of 95 Unleaded and 50ppm diesel to their lowest levels since February 2022. A litre of 95 Unleaded is expected to cost R19.92 at the coast from Wednesday, bringing it below the R20 barrier for the first time in almost four years. Those in the inland regions will pay around R20.75 for 95 ULP and R20.64 for 93 ULP.
Botswana opens its rare earths and diamonds to Russia
Botswana plans to open an embassy in Moscow soon and has invited Russian investors to cooperate on rare earths and diamonds, Russia's TASS state news agency quoted Botswana's foreign minister as saying on Sunday. Russia is seeking to strengthen its foothold in Africa amid the wider confrontation with the West. "We firmly believe that Botswana is the best place for investment, considering its political and economic stability. Therefore, we strongly encourage Russian investors to come to Botswana," Botswana's Phenyo Butale was quoted as saying by TASS. Diamonds normally contribute around one-third of Botswana's national revenues and three-quarters of its foreign exchange receipts.
Trump warns of higher tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases
The United States could raise tariffs on India if New Delhi doesn't meet Washington's demand to curb purchases of Russian oil, President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One."Modi is a good guy. He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy," Trump said on Sunday. "They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly," Trump said in response to a question on India's Russian oil purchases. India’s commerce ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.