Oil Prices Hold Near Two-Week Highs as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut and Monitor Geopolitical Risks 
Gold Prices Inch Higher as Fed Rate-Cut Expectations Strengthen 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Decision; Aussie Dollar Edges Higher 
Silver Prices Surge to New Record Above $60 as Supply Concerns and Fed Expectations Boost Demand 
Global Forex Markets Brace for Fed Decision as Yen Extends Weakness 
Australia’s Business Conditions Ease in November as Capacity Constraints Persist 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Markets Track Ukraine Peace Talks and U.S. Rate Decision 
U.S. Open to Special Trade Terms for South Africa Under Possible AGOA Extension 
Wall Street Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Decision; Nvidia Gains on China Chip Sales Approval 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Global Markets Steady as Yen Holds Firm After Japan Earthquake Amid Central Bank Focus 
U.S. Economic Outlook 2026: Growth Seen Strengthening as Fiscal Support Ramps Up 
UK Job Market Shows Persistent Weakness Ahead of November Budget 
Canada Stocks Steady as Markets Await Fed and BoC Decisions 
Asian Markets Slip as Investors Brace for Fed Rate Cut and Global Policy Decisions 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Asian stock markets traded mostly lower on Friday, weighed down by weak Japanese GDP data and a steep decline in Alibaba shares, while Australian equities outperformed on rate cut hopes.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.5% and the TOPIX dropped 0.3% after data showed the economy contracted 0.7% year-on-year in Q1, far worse than the expected 0.2% drop. Sluggish exports and weak consumer spending contributed to the decline, although the weak data fueled expectations the Bank of Japan will maintain accommodative policy.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index led regional losses, falling over 1%, driven by a sharp 7.5% slide in Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA, HK:9988) following a Q4 revenue miss and weaker-than-expected cloud business performance. JD.com (HK:9618) also declined nearly 2% as earnings highlighted fragile Chinese consumer sentiment amid persistent disinflation.
Despite Friday’s drop, Chinese and Hong Kong markets remained higher for the week, buoyed by optimism over a temporary U.S.-China tariff rollback. However, sentiment faded as investors awaited a more concrete resolution to trade tensions.
Mainland indexes also declined, with the CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite shedding 0.8% and 0.6% respectively. South Korea’s KOSPI was flat, while Singapore’s STI dipped 0.2% even after strong export data.
In contrast, Australia’s ASX 200 rose 0.6%, hitting a two-month high amid expectations that the Reserve Bank of Australia will lower interest rates next week.
India’s Nifty 50 Futures pointed to a muted open after the index touched a seven-month high earlier in the week.
While U.S. stock futures remained slightly negative, Asian equities were on track for weekly gains, supported by easing trade fears and dovish central bank expectations.
