Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Oil Prices Slip as Russia-Ukraine Peace Hopes Fade and Oversupply Fears Grow 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Asian stock markets traded mixed on Friday as investors assessed contrasting signals from major central banks, while most regional indexes held steady ahead of key U.S. inflation data. Market sentiment was shaped by India’s rate cut, renewed expectations of a Bank of Japan hike, and anticipation surrounding the Federal Reserve’s next move.
In India, the Reserve Bank of India lowered its key repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25%, delivering a widely expected move aimed at supporting economic growth as inflation continues to ease. Governor Sanjay Malhotra noted that inflation had “eased significantly” and is likely to remain softer than previous forecasts. The central bank also upgraded its GDP growth outlook for FY26, reinforcing confidence in the country’s economic momentum. The Nifty 50 index responded modestly, ticking up 0.2% following the announcement. Although the rate cut was anticipated, earlier optimism had cooled due to strong economic performance and the rupee’s slide to record lows.
Japanese stocks moved in the opposite direction, with the Nikkei 225 dropping about 1.5% as traders grew increasingly convinced that the Bank of Japan may raise interest rates in December. Comments from BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda earlier in the week were viewed as hawkish, and a Reuters report indicated that policymakers could proceed with a hike with government tolerance, pressuring sentiment in Tokyo.
Across the broader Asian region, trading remained subdued as investors awaited the U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge. Jobless claims data from the U.S. showed a decline to 191,000, keeping rate-cut expectations intact. China’s CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite were little changed, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng edged 0.2% lower. South Korea’s KOSPI gained 0.7%, Singapore’s Straits Times Index slipped 0.4%, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 traded mostly flat.
This mix of policy shifts and cautious trading continues to shape investor outlook ahead of major economic updates.
