Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Asian stock markets retreated on Wednesday after two strong sessions, as losses in major technology shares offset earlier gains. Investors also digested Japan’s latest trade data and initial policy signals from newly appointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Following a mixed session on Wall Street, where the NASDAQ Composite slipped due to weakness in tech stocks, the S&P 500 closed nearly unchanged while the Dow Jones inched higher on upbeat corporate earnings. U.S. stock futures were steady as of 02:55 GMT.
Japan’s latest trade figures showed exports rising for the first time in five months but missing expectations, while imports surged sharply, resulting in an unexpected trade deficit of ¥234.6 billion ($1.54 billion). Analysts at ING noted that strong global demand offset weak U.S. exports and projected a gradual recovery ahead.
Political developments in Tokyo added to investor caution as Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, was sworn in on Tuesday. Her 19-member cabinet features Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. Takaichi has vowed to revive “Abenomics-style” policies emphasizing fiscal stimulus and economic security. However, analysts warn her administration faces challenges balancing growth with Japan’s massive public debt and addressing inflation and geopolitical tensions.
The Nikkei 225 fell 0.5% to 49,066.75 after touching a record high in the previous session, while the TOPIX index traded slightly higher. Across the region, China’s CSI 300 dipped 0.2%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.5%, and Australia’s ASX 200 slid 0.9%. In contrast, South Korea’s KOSPI rose 0.4%.
U.S.-China tensions persisted after President Donald Trump hinted at uncertainty over his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, while reports suggested India and the U.S. are close to a trade deal that could cut Indian export tariffs significantly.
