BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low; Gold Falls and Oil Mixed 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Eases Supply Concerns 
Dollar Surges After Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Potential Tightening Ahead 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
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.
