U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
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 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
The U.S. dollar rose sharply alongside safe-haven currencies like the Japanese yen and Swiss franc following reports that Israel launched airstrikes on Iran. Two U.S. officials confirmed the strikes to Reuters, clarifying that the U.S. had no role in the operation. Explosions were reportedly heard northeast of Tehran.
Currency markets reacted swiftly to the geopolitical tension. The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major currencies, gained 0.4% to reach 98.07 in early Asian trading. The dollar fell 0.35% against the yen to 143.00, while the Swiss franc slipped 0.39% to 0.807 per dollar. Risk-sensitive currencies such as the Australian and New Zealand dollars dropped 0.9% each.
Earlier this week, the dollar had weakened amid a tepid investor response to the U.S.-China trade truce and softer-than-expected inflation data, which fueled expectations of deeper interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.
Despite today's rally, the dollar remains on track for weekly losses against the yen, euro, and Swiss franc.
The geopolitical shock also impacted commodities. Crude oil prices surged over $4 per barrel, reflecting fears of supply disruption in the oil-rich Middle East. Gold prices rose 0.8%, marking their highest level since early May as investors sought safety.
The swift reversal in global markets underscores the fragile balance between macroeconomic trends and geopolitical risks, particularly in currency and commodity markets. As tensions escalate, investors are flocking to traditional safe havens while reassessing monetary policy expectations.
