Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Asian stocks advanced on Wednesday, lifted by Wall Street’s record highs and optimism around potential policy shifts in Japan after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation. Investors also weighed fresh inflation data from China, which highlighted persistent deflationary pressures in the world’s second-largest economy.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 0.5%, hovering near a record 44,185.7 points hit on Tuesday, while the broader TOPIX rose 0.4%. Ishiba’s resignation following heavy election losses has fueled speculation that his successor could adopt more expansionary fiscal and monetary policies. Sentiment was further boosted by confirmation of a U.S.-Japan trade deal set to reduce tariffs on auto exports by mid-September.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index surged 1.2% to a four-year high, supported by a 2% jump in the Hang Seng TECH index, tracking strength in the Nasdaq’s latest record close. South Korea’s KOSPI climbed 1.5%, led by strong gains in chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which rose 1.5% and 5% respectively. Singapore’s Straits Times Index also gained over 1%.
However, China’s economic outlook weighed on mainland stocks. Data showed consumer prices fell more than expected in August, while producer prices dropped for the 35th straight month, reflecting deep-rooted deflationary pressures despite government stimulus. The Shanghai Composite slipped 0.1%, and the CSI 300 fell 0.2%.
Elsewhere in the region, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged 0.2% higher, while India’s Nifty 50 futures rose 0.4%, signaling modest gains at the open.
Overall, Asian markets mirrored Wall Street’s bullish tone, with investors eyeing a possible Federal Reserve rate cut next week as a key driver for global equities.
