Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
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 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Asian share markets extended recent gains Tuesday, driven by strong demand for technology stocks and record-breaking momentum in gold. Optimism around artificial intelligence fueled Wall Street’s latest rally, with Nvidia announcing plans to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI, with first data center deliveries set for 2026.
Tech giants including Oracle, Apple, Nvidia, and Tesla continue to dominate, drawing heavy inflows from momentum funds and options traders. Analysts note the trend is becoming self-fulfilling, with investors hedging equity exposure through gold. The precious metal surged to a new record of $3,755.47 per ounce, nearly 9% higher in September.
In Asia, chip stocks led gains. South Korea rose 0.2%, adding to a 9% monthly surge, while Japan’s Nikkei—closed for a holiday—remains up 6.5% in September. Taiwan advanced nearly 7%, and MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index outside Japan gained 0.3%. Chinese blue chips added 0.1%.
European markets showed modest improvement, with EUROSTOXX 50, FTSE, and DAX futures all edging higher. In the U.S., S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures steadied after hitting record highs.
Investor sentiment remains supported by expectations of further U.S. Federal Reserve rate cuts, with markets pricing in a 90% chance of easing in October and 75% in December. However, mixed Fed messaging persists, with some officials warning about inflation while new Governor Stephen Miran urged sharper cuts. Fed Chair Jerome Powell is set to comment later today.
Currency markets saw the dollar ease against the euro and yen, while Sweden’s crown held steady ahead of a central bank decision. Oil prices dipped on oversupply concerns, with Brent at $66.46 and U.S. crude at $62.21.
With AI enthusiasm surging and gold setting records, global markets remain firmly momentum-driven.
