RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
BOJ Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Japan Signals Shift Toward Monetary Normalization 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip After CPI-Fueled Rally as Markets Weigh Economic Uncertainty 
Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution 
New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Most Asian stock markets were closed Thursday due to the Labor Day holiday, with trading volumes remaining low. However, Japanese shares advanced after the Bank of Japan (BOJ) left interest rates unchanged at 0.5%, as expected. The Nikkei 225 rose 0.8%, and the TOPIX index added 0.2%. Despite keeping rates steady, the BOJ downgraded its economic outlook, slashing its fiscal 2025 GDP forecast from 1.1% to 0.5% and signaling ongoing concern over U.S. tariffs and stagnant trade talks with the U.S. and China. Inflation remains above the bank’s 2% target, complicating future policy moves.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged up 0.2%, supported by positive trade data and growing expectations of a Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) rate cut in May. March trade figures showed a larger-than-expected surplus driven by strong exports ahead of looming U.S. tariff changes. Meanwhile, underlying inflation dropped back into the RBA’s 2–3% target range. Analysts from ING noted that conditions now support a rate cut. On the corporate front, Woolworths Ltd reported a 3.2% increase in Q3 sales despite economic headwinds, pushing its shares up 1.5%.
In the U.S., stock indexes posted minimal gains Tuesday, but futures rebounded in Asian hours Wednesday on strong corporate earnings, even as Q1 GDP data revealed economic contraction. U.S.-China trade tensions remain high. Although President Trump signed orders easing auto tariffs and suggested talks with China were underway, Beijing denied such discussions, fueling investor uncertainty. White House trade adviser Jamieson Greer confirmed in a Fox News interview that no official negotiations were taking place.
Overall, global market sentiment is being shaped by interest rate decisions, trade disputes, and inflation trends.
