Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
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 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Most Asian stock markets advanced on Monday, supported by a rebound in technology shares after sharp declines last week. However, investors remained cautious ahead of key central bank meetings in Australia and India.
Japanese equities lagged, with the Nikkei 225 down 1.8% and TOPIX falling 1%, pressured by a stronger yen that weighed on export-oriented companies. The yen’s gains were fueled by speculation of a Bank of Japan rate hike and weakness in the U.S. dollar as markets priced in more Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.
On Wall Street, Friday’s in-line U.S. inflation data bolstered expectations for further Fed easing, pushing Treasury yields lower and aiding risk appetite. Still, concerns over a potential U.S. government shutdown and additional trade tariffs capped overall optimism. S&P 500 futures rose 0.2% in Asian trade.
Australia’s ASX 200 gained 0.7%, led by banks and gold miners, as markets awaited the Reserve Bank of Australia’s policy decision on Tuesday. The RBA is widely expected to keep rates unchanged, with analysts at ANZ projecting a likely 25 basis point cut in November, taking the benchmark rate to 3.35%. Recent sticky inflation data has tempered speculation of more aggressive easing.
South Korea’s KOSPI and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index led regional gains, climbing 1.1% and 1.5%, respectively. Technology stocks staged a recovery after last week’s slump, which was triggered by doubts over the artificial intelligence trade and concerns about potential U.S. restrictions on semiconductor imports.
China’s Shanghai Composite rose 0.1% while the CSI 300 advanced 0.6%. Singapore’s Straits Times inched 0.2% higher, and India’s Nifty 50 futures edged up 0.1%, hinting at some relief after last week’s heavy losses. The Reserve Bank of India is expected to hold rates steady but could trim its cash reserve ratio to signal a modest easing bias.
