U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Most Asian currencies strengthened on Thursday, led by the Japanese yen and South Korean won, after the announcement of a major U.S.-Japan trade agreement raised hopes for similar deals ahead of looming tariff deadlines. Both currencies reached two-week highs and marked their fourth consecutive session of gains.
The U.S. Dollar Index slipped 0.1% in Asian trading after four straight sessions of declines, reflecting easing demand for the greenback. The yen advanced further, with the USD/JPY pair dropping 0.4% as of 04:07 GMT, following news that the U.S. will impose a 15% tariff on Japanese imports—lower than the previously proposed 25%—in exchange for a $550 billion Japanese investment in the U.S. economy.
Despite currency gains, Japanese investor sentiment remained cautious amid political uncertainty. Speculation about Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s potential resignation following his coalition’s upper house election defeat persisted, although Ishiba publicly denied any immediate plans to step down.
The South Korean won also rallied, with the USD/KRW pair down 0.6% to two-week lows, buoyed by expectations that other nations might reach trade agreements before the August 1 tariff deadline. The Chinese yuan saw modest gains, with both onshore and offshore pairs down 0.1%. The Singapore dollar, Malaysian ringgit, and Australian dollar also strengthened slightly, while the Indian rupee edged lower.
Market analysts noted that while optimism over trade deals is lifting risk sentiment, ongoing political instability in Japan and broader geopolitical uncertainties could temper further currency rallies.
