Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
A solid close on Wall Street overnight translated into somewhat softer gains in Asia on Thursday morning. Asian markets were generally higher on Thursday, with a slew of manufacturing data from the region prompting little reaction, while Chinese bourses were closed.
Chinese stock markets were shut on Thursday in observance of National Day. Chinese factory activity continued to deteriorate last month as new work fell at the quickest rate in three years, raising fresh calls for policymakers to add more stimulus as the economy continues to slow. The Caixin-Markit China manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 47.2 in September, the lowest since March 2009, from 47.3 in August, coming in stronger than the preliminary reading of 47.0. The Purchasing Managers' Index rose from 49.7 in August to 49.8 last month, signalled a slight moderation in the industry's contraction.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index rose 0.27% to 17,435.02 points within the first hour of trade, while Tokyo's broader Topix gauge jumped 0.64% to 1,420.25 points. The Bank of Japan (BoJ) Tankan Manufacturing Index of large-scale factories fell from 15 to 12 in the September quarter.
Korea's benchmark Kospi index advanced 0.21% to 1,966.90 points this morning in Seoul.
The benchmark Australian S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.80% to 5,061.90 points in Sydney, with Australia's big lenders supporting the index, as well as resource stocks.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index fell 0.18% to 5,583.35 points this afternoon in Wellington.
