Gold Prices Rise Slightly but Head for Weekly Loss Amid Oil Surge and Inflation Fears 
Brazil Current Account Deficit Widens in March as FDI Misses Expectations 
U.S. and EU Strengthen Critical Minerals Partnership to Reduce China Dependence 
Oil Price Forecasts Rise for 2026 as Middle East Supply Risks Persist 
Global PCB Prices Surge Amid Middle East Conflict and Supply Chain Disruptions 
ECB Rate Outlook: Ceasefire Eases Pressure but Hikes Still Expected in 2026 
Iran-Pakistan Diplomacy and Strait of Hormuz Tensions Push Oil Prices Above $100 
Asian Currencies Rise Ahead of BOJ and Fed Meetings as Dollar Softens 
Chip Stocks Rally on AI Optimism as Oil Price Surge Adds Market Tension 
Dollar Weakens Amid Middle East Tensions and Anticipated Central Bank Decisions 
US Stock Futures Steady as Oil Prices Surge and Big Tech Earnings Loom 
Trump Urges Iran to Call for Talks as War Stalemate Disrupts Oil Markets 
Brazil Pension Fund Crackdown After Banco Master Collapse Raises Investment Concerns 
U.S. Consumer Sentiment Hits Record Low as Iran Conflict Fuels Inflation Concerns 
Bank of England Set to Hold Interest Rates as Inflation Risks and Iran War Impact Loom 
U.S. Sanctions Target Chinese Refinery Over Iranian Oil Purchases 
U.S.-Iran Conflict Stalls as Diplomatic Efforts Collapse and Global Oil Tensions Rise 
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.
