Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
U.S. May Withhold $30.4 Million From Minnesota Over Improper Commercial Driver Licenses 
South Korea Inflation Edges Up in November as Food and Service Costs Climb 
U.S. Soybean Shipments to China Gain Momentum as Trade Tensions Ease 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Tech Stocks Lift S&P 500 as Fed Rate-Cut Expectations Rise 
Oil Prices Slip as Russia-Ukraine Peace Hopes Fade and Oversupply Fears Grow 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
South Korea Posts Stronger-Than-Expected 1.3% Economic Growth in Q3 
Dollar Slips as Weak U.S. Manufacturing Data Increases Pressure for Fed Rate Cuts 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Japan’s Service Sector Sustains Growth Momentum in November 
The U.S. dollar strengthened slightly on Monday as global investors prepared for a busy week of economic releases following the end of the government shutdown. With fresh data finally set to resume after more than 40 days of silence, markets are hoping for clearer signals on the Federal Reserve’s potential rate move in December.
Market reaction to U.S. President Donald Trump’s reversal of planned tariffs on over 200 food products remained limited. Analysts noted the shift was largely expected amid rising cost-of-living pressures, reducing any major surprise factor for traders.
Sterling continued to struggle after a volatile end to last week, driven by intense speculation surrounding the UK government’s upcoming November 26 budget. The British pound slipped 0.11% to $1.3161, extending losses sparked when Finance Minister Rachel Reeves confirmed she would not raise income tax rates. Investors had anticipated a tax increase to help close a significant fiscal gap, and the unexpected stance caused borrowing costs to surge on Friday.
Meanwhile, the safe-haven Swiss franc hovered near a one-month high at 0.7941 per dollar, supported by heightened caution following recent turbulence across global equities. The euro dipped 0.11% to $1.1607, and the Australian and New Zealand dollars also eased slightly during early Asian trading. The U.S. dollar index inched up to 99.37.
This week’s focus centers on the long-awaited September nonfarm payrolls report due Thursday, a release that could shape expectations for a December Fed rate cut. Carol Kong of CBA noted that markets are primed for softer payrolls data, which could revive bets on easing and weaken the dollar.
Despite signs of slowing economic momentum in private-sector indicators, markets have scaled back expectations of a December rate cut, placing the odds at just above 40%. Yet the dollar has struggled to gain momentum as traders unwind long positions ahead of what could be a volatile period for U.S. data.
Elsewhere, the yen hovered near 155 per dollar, with traders monitoring the risk of intervention. Japan’s latest GDP report showed a 1.8% annualized contraction in Q3, reflecting export weakness tied to U.S. trade policies, though the currency reaction remained muted.
