Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
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 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Asian stock markets traded mixed on Monday as investors weighed global cues, central bank policies, and corporate updates. Japanese equities rebounded, with the Nikkei 225 climbing 1.5% and TOPIX up 0.9%, recovering from last week’s drop. The bounce came despite the Bank of Japan’s hawkish signals, as it kept interest rates unchanged but announced plans to gradually reduce its massive ETF holdings. Losses were limited after BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda struck a moderate tone, avoiding commitments on near-term rate hikes.
South Korea’s KOSPI advanced 0.9%, supported by Samsung Electronics, which surged nearly 5% on reports it secured NVIDIA’s approval to supply advanced AI memory chips. The move positions Samsung to challenge SK Hynix and Micron in the fast-growing artificial intelligence semiconductor market, boosting sentiment in the tech-heavy index.
In contrast, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index extended losses for a third straight session as investors booked profits in major internet stocks, despite continued demand for local chipmakers. Mainland Chinese shares underperformed, with the CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite flat after the People’s Bank of China left its loan prime rate unchanged. Investors remained focused on U.S.-China trade dialogue following progress on TikTok’s U.S. operations.
Elsewhere, Australia’s ASX 200 rose 0.4%, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index was little changed. Futures for India’s Nifty 50 slipped 0.1% as markets assessed the potential fallout from U.S. President Donald Trump’s crackdown on H-1B visas, a policy shift expected to pressure India’s vital IT and outsourcing sector.
Global sentiment was tempered despite record Wall Street highs last week following a Federal Reserve rate cut. U.S. S&P 500 futures slipped 0.1% in Asian trading, as attention turned to upcoming economic data and remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
