Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Asian stock markets slipped Thursday as investors sought safe-haven assets amid rising geopolitical tensions. Concerns over possible U.S. involvement in the escalating Israel-Iran air war drove demand for gold and the Japanese yen.
President Donald Trump fueled uncertainty, saying, “I may do it. I may not do it,” when asked if the U.S. would join Israel’s attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump approved strike plans but is holding off to see if Iran halts its nuclear ambitions.
Japan’s Nikkei dropped 0.8%, pressured by the yen’s 0.2% rise to 144.92 per dollar, which dampens exporter earnings. Taiwan’s benchmark fell 0.9%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost 0.8%.
Gold rose 0.3% to $3,378 per ounce. Brent crude edged down to $76.32, still close to Friday’s 4.5-month high of $78.50. U.S. S&P 500 futures were down 0.4%, although American markets were closed for a holiday.
“Markets remain edgy,” said Kyle Rodda, senior analyst at Capital.com. “Speculation—possibly encouraged by the Trump administration—that the U.S. will intervene in Iran is keeping volatility high. Any strike risks broader conflict, threatening global energy supply and economic stability.”
The U.S. dollar also gained, rising 0.1% to $1.1472 per euro and 0.2% to $1.3398 versus the pound. The Swiss franc dipped 0.1% to 0.8193 per dollar ahead of policy announcements by the Bank of England and Swiss National Bank. The BOE is expected to hold rates steady, while the SNB may cut by 25 basis points.
Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve kept rates unchanged and signaled two potential cuts this year. However, Chair Jerome Powell warned that Trump’s aggressive tariffs could fuel “meaningful” inflation, complicating the path for easing.
