Oil prices steadied on Wednesday after Venezuela raised the prospect of a halt to some crude exports, easing worries about oversupply after reports that the U.S. government had asked Saudi Arabia and some other producers to increase output. Falling Venezuelan oil output helped push crude benchmark Brent LCOc1 to more than $80 a barrel last month, but prices have eased since then on talk of higher supply by other members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Click Read More below for additional information.

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Disruptions caused by attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea have once again created volatility in retail supply chains, leading to delays and increased costs. That's according to the Global Port Tracker report by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. Jonathan Gold, NRF VP for supply chain and customs policy, noted that retailers are working with their carrier partners on mitigation strategies to limit the impact of the disruptions caused by the attacks, "but we are seeing longer transit times and increased costs as a result.” To help retailers navigate supply chain challenges, NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show will feature a special one-day program — Supply Chain 360 Summit — on Sunday, Jan. 14, 10:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. (ET), at the Javits Convention Center, New York City.