China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
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 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
The U.S. dollar stabilized in early Asian trade Thursday as traders awaited consumer price data after an unexpected drop in factory-gate prices fueled expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut next week. The dollar index edged up to 97.822, its third straight day of gains, following a 0.1% decline in August’s Producer Price Index after July’s revised 0.7% jump. Analysts said the softer data strengthened the case for easing, with markets pricing a 25 basis point cut as certain, and an 8% chance of a larger 50 basis point move, according to CME’s FedWatch tool.
Political focus also turned to the Fed’s leadership. The Trump administration is appealing a court ruling blocking its effort to remove Governor Lisa Cook before the September 16–17 policy meeting. Meanwhile, Stephen Miran’s nomination advanced in the Senate Banking Committee, though approval in time for next week’s meeting remains uncertain.
In currencies, the dollar traded flat at 147.41 yen after Japanese wholesale prices rose 2.7% year-on-year in August, signaling persistent inflation. The euro edged higher to $1.1698 ahead of the European Central Bank’s decision, where rates are expected to remain unchanged but policymakers may adopt a dovish tone amid geopolitical and trade risks. Sterling was steady at $1.3527.
Elsewhere, the Australian dollar rose to $0.66165, supported by strong commodities including iron ore, crude oil, and gold near record highs. The offshore yuan firmed slightly to 7.1184 per dollar, while the New Zealand dollar slipped to $0.59375.
Geopolitical tensions also weighed on sentiment, with Poland announcing it shot down suspected Russian drones with NATO backing, the first such action since the Ukraine war began.
