Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
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 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Asian shares fluctuated on Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points, while investors awaited the outcome of a crucial meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was flat, while S&P 500 e-mini futures rose 0.1% following a modest Wall Street pullback that ended a four-day winning streak.
Global markets remain cautious amid a wave of central bank decisions that will determine the future path of interest rates, as the Trump administration maintains tariffs on foreign imports. The Nikkei 225 slipped 0.1% ahead of the Bank of Japan’s policy decision, where rates are expected to stay unchanged.
The U.S. dollar held steady at 152.70 yen after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged faster rate hikes to prevent currency weakness. Analysts suggested his comments could influence BOJ’s communication on future policy. Meanwhile, the dollar index climbed to a two-week high of 99.131, while the euro was unchanged at $1.16035 before the European Central Bank’s meeting.
The Fed’s cautious tone reflected uncertainty from the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, which has limited access to key economic data. Market expectations for another rate cut have dropped sharply, with futures now pricing in a 67.8% chance that rates will remain steady at the next meeting, compared to 9.1% a day earlier.
The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury rose to 4.0757%, a three-week high, while gold gained 0.4% to $3,944.25 per ounce. Brent crude remained stable at $64.92 a barrel.
In corporate news, tech stocks faced pressure as AI-related costs weighed on investor sentiment. Meta forecast higher expenses, and Microsoft reported record AI infrastructure spending of $35 billion. However, Alphabet shares rose after exceeding revenue expectations.
