IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Asian markets saw mixed movement on Thursday as investor sentiment was rattled by renewed trade tensions and escalating geopolitical risks. U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to impose new trade tariffs on major economies within weeks, signaling a tough negotiation stance. While Trump hinted at a completed U.S.-China trade deal, lack of concrete details and ongoing tariffs dampened investor optimism.
Markets also tracked weakness from Wall Street, as reports of U.S. personnel evacuations from Iraq and failed nuclear talks with Iran spurred concerns. Israel’s potential military response to Iran further weighed on risk appetite. Rising oil prices added to the cautious tone, though commodity-linked indexes gained modestly.
In Asia, S&P 500 futures dropped 0.4% during regional hours. China’s Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 edged lower, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.5%. Despite initial gains earlier in the week on news of a U.S.-China trade framework, Chinese equities faced pressure due to vague deal terms and continued tariffs. EV giants BYD and NIO both dropped over 2% amid local headwinds.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.8%, with the yen’s strength and tech losses dragging the index. Australia’s ASX 200 bucked the trend, rising 0.2% on gains in energy and gold stocks, supported by expectations of rate cuts. South Korea’s KOSPI gained 0.5% to a 3.5-year high, boosted by political stability and a bullish earnings outlook.
Singapore’s Straits Times index rose 0.3%, while India’s Nifty 50 futures edged up 0.2% following reports that Reliance Industries is in talks to invest in OpenAI. Overall, uncertainty over global trade policies and Middle East tensions kept investors cautious across Asian markets.
