Kevin Warsh Advances Toward Fed Chair Role Amid Political Tensions 
ASX Names Former Euronext Executive Anthony Attia as New CEO 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Strong U.S. Inflation Data Boosts Dollar 
Paraguay Holds Interest Rate at 5.5% as Inflation Remains Stable Amid Global Uncertainty 
Bank of England Set to Hold Interest Rates as Inflation Risks and Iran War Impact Loom 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Shares Rise Ahead of Trump-Xi Beijing Summit 
Eurozone Recession Risks Rise as Middle East Conflict Threatens Growth, ECB Official Warns 
RBA Raises Interest Rates to 4.35% Amid Rising Inflation Risks and Middle East Tensions 
Japan Inflation Expectations Rise as BOJ Rate Hike Timing Faces Uncertainty 
New Zealand Budget 2026 Focuses on Fiscal Discipline and Infrastructure Investment 
Havana Protests Erupt as Cuba Faces Severe Blackouts and Fuel Crisis 
U.S. Urges China to Help Curb Iran’s Actions in Gulf, Rubio Says 
South Korea Central Bank Signals Inflation Concerns as Oil Prices Surge 
BOJ Holds Interest Rates at 0.75% as Policymakers Signal Growing Inflation Concerns 
Trump and Xi Temple of Heaven Visit Highlights Trade and Diplomacy Goals 
Canada’s main stock index opened the week trading mostly flat, stabilizing after Friday’s pullback as investors shift focus to major central bank decisions. The S&P/TSX Composite Index slipped 0.5% in the previous session, losing 166 points to close at 31,311.41, with decliners narrowly outpacing gainers. Despite the dip, the index recently touched record highs, supported by strong quarterly results from Canada’s major banks.
Market sentiment is being shaped largely by expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will cut interest rates again this Wednesday. Anticipation strengthened after the delayed September core PCE index—widely viewed as the Fed’s preferred inflation measure—showed softer-than-expected price growth. Coupled with weakening labor market signals and cooling consumer spending, investors are increasingly confident the Fed will move ahead with additional policy easing to support the U.S. economy.
The Bank of Canada will also make its rate announcement on Wednesday, though analysts broadly expect policymakers to hold the benchmark rate at 2.25%. With inflation now firmly within the target range and the Canadian economy showing steady growth, economists project that interest rates could remain unchanged until at least 2027, reducing the likelihood of near-term cuts.
Gold prices were mostly stable, supported by a weaker U.S. dollar and rising expectations of a Fed rate cut. Spot gold inched up 0.4% to $4,212.67 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures dipped slightly to $4,242.15. Investor caution kept gains modest despite growing conviction that monetary policy will loosen.
Oil prices retreated after hitting two-week highs, as traders locked in profits ahead of the Fed decision. Brent crude fell 1.1% to $63.08 a barrel, while WTI slipped to $59.43. Broader energy market sentiment remains sensitive to geopolitical developments, including slow progress in Ukraine peace efforts and ongoing G7–EU discussions about replacing the Russian oil price cap with a stricter maritime services ban.
