Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
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 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
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 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Asian stock markets rose on Thursday, supported by renewed optimism in artificial intelligence and expectations of a U.S. Federal Reserve rate cut. China’s markets led gains, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged to a fresh record high despite political turmoil.
The Nikkei jumped over 1% to 44,288.47 points, marking its second time above 44,000 this week. The rally followed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation after election losses, fueling hopes for more aggressive fiscal and monetary policies from his successor. Sentiment was further lifted by a U.S.-Japan trade deal cutting tariffs on Japanese auto exports by mid-September. The broader TOPIX index edged up 0.2%, hovering near record highs.
In China, the Shanghai Composite gained 1.1% and the CSI 300 advanced nearly 2%, tracking Wall Street’s rally driven by AI stocks. Oracle’s multibillion-dollar AI contracts boosted global chipmakers, fueling optimism in the sector. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng pared losses to trade 0.3% lower, while its TECH sub-index rebounded from a 1.3% drop to trade flat.
Elsewhere in Asia, South Korea’s KOSPI rose 0.4%, Singapore’s Straits Times Index remained steady, while Australia’s ASX 200 slipped 0.5% and India’s Nifty 50 traded flat.
On Wall Street, the S&P 500 and NASDAQ closed at record highs for the second consecutive session, supported by strong tech momentum. U.S. stock futures also traded slightly higher during Asian hours.
Economic data continued to drive investor sentiment. U.S. producer price inflation unexpectedly eased in August, bolstering expectations of a Fed rate cut at its September 17 meeting. Traders now await U.S. consumer price data due later Thursday, which could provide clearer signals on the pace of monetary easing.
