Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Tensions Threaten Supply 
OPEC+ Expected to Hold October Oil Output Steady 
European Stocks Flat as Iran Tensions, ECB Rate Hike Loom 
UK House Prices Fall for First Time Since 2023 
China to Inject $45 Billion Into State Financial Institutions 
Iran Plans New Gulf Restricted Zone as Hormuz Tensions Push Oil Higher 
Yen Rebounds as BOJ Rate Hike Bets Rise 
Uranium Prices Could Top $100 as Nuclear Demand Grows 
China Exports Surge 25% in August as Trade Surplus Hits $119 Billion 
China Boosts Gold Reserves by 650,000 Ounces as Prices Rally 
Japan GDP Growth Beats Forecast, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Bets 
US Stock Futures Mixed as Strong Jobs Data Boosts Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Jefferies Names 6 Top India Stock Picks Across Key Sectors 
Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Assets as U.S. Tensions Escalate 
Gold Prices Rise as Yen Rally Weakens Dollar 
South Korea GDP Surges on Chip and AI Boom 
Gold Holds Near $4,400 as Fed Hike Bets Rise 
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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.
