China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Asian stock markets traded mixed on Friday as regional holidays kept volumes muted, with Japanese equities rallying near record highs while Hong Kong markets slipped on sharp electric vehicle losses. Investor sentiment was shaped by developments in technology, central bank commentary, and political shifts in Japan.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.6%, approaching all-time highs, while the TOPIX gained 1.3%. The surge was fueled by strong gains in technology shares, led by Hitachi Ltd., which soared 9.5% after unveiling a partnership with OpenAI to collaborate on AI-powered energy and storage solutions. The announcement sparked optimism over accelerated artificial intelligence development in Japan, boosting related stocks such as Renesas Electronics (+8%), Advantest (+3.4%), Tokyo Electron (+2.3%), and SoftBank Group (+3.6%).
Further support for Japanese markets came from Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, who flagged economic uncertainties tied to U.S. tariffs and overseas conditions. While Ueda reiterated the potential for future rate hikes if inflation strengthens, his cautious tone suggested the BOJ may not rush tightening. Investors are also watching the upcoming Liberal Democratic Party leadership vote, which will determine the next Prime Minister following Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation. Candidates Sanae Takaichi, Shinjiro Koizumi, and Yoshimasa Hayashi are viewed as leading contenders, with markets anticipating a shift toward less restrictive fiscal policies.
In contrast, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 0.7% as electric vehicle makers slumped in tandem with Tesla’s 5% overnight drop. BYD slid 4.7%, Li Auto lost 4.2%, and Geely shed 2.4%. Despite Tesla reporting record Q3 deliveries, analysts cited concerns over expiring U.S. EV subsidies and fierce competition in China. Broader Hong Kong tech shares also retreated after earlier gains, though the index still held a 3.7% weekly rise.
Elsewhere, Singapore’s Straits Times rose 0.2%, Australia’s ASX 200 gained 0.4%, while India’s Nifty 50 slipped 0.2% under pressure from U.S. trade tariffs. With China and South Korea closed for holidays, regional trading remained subdued. Meanwhile, Wall Street’s S&P 500 hit another record high, and futures in Asian trade edged up 0.1%, though the U.S. government shutdown cast uncertainty over the release of key nonfarm payrolls data.
