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 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Asian stocks climbed on Monday as investors assessed last week’s earnings from major tech firms that highlighted massive investments in artificial intelligence (AI), while the U.S. dollar held firm near a three-month high following hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan gained 0.2% to 726.98, close to its 4.5-year peak, and is up over 27% this year—on track for its best annual performance since 2017. With Japan’s markets closed for a holiday and no U.S. Treasuries trading, overall activity was subdued during Asian hours.
Meanwhile, gold prices slipped 0.4% to $3,985.35 per ounce, extending losses from recent record highs. Oil prices rose as OPEC+ opted to delay production increases in early 2025, calming fears of an oversupply. Brent crude rose 0.49% to $65.10 a barrel, and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 0.61% to $61.33.
In the U.S., several Fed policymakers expressed unease over the recent rate cut, even as Governor Christopher Waller backed more easing to support the slowing labor market. Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaled that another cut in December was “not a foregone conclusion,” surprising traders who had expected it. Markets now price a 68% chance of a December rate cut, down from near certainty before last week’s 25-basis-point reduction.
The dollar stayed strong, with the euro at $1.1524, sterling at $1.3134, and the yen near 154.18 per dollar. As the U.S. government shutdown drags on, data releases such as job openings and nonfarm payrolls will be delayed.
Investors remain focused on corporate earnings, especially from AI-driven tech companies like AMD, Qualcomm, and Palantir, whose results will shape sentiment for the sector’s growth potential.
