Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
The U.S. dollar is on track for its largest weekly gain in over a month, driven by escalating Middle East tensions and renewed inflation concerns. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major currencies, is set to rise 0.5% this week as investors seek safe havens amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
With Tel Aviv targeting Tehran’s nuclear facilities, fears of U.S. involvement continue to grow. President Donald Trump is expected to decide in the coming weeks whether to support Israel militarily. The geopolitical instability has sparked a surge in oil prices, adding uncertainty to global inflation outlooks and complicating central bank strategies.
“Higher oil prices are creating inflation uncertainty just as global growth slows,” said Saxo’s chief investment strategist Charu Chanana. “Central banks must now choose between supporting growth or containing inflation.”
Despite tensions, the euro edged up 0.16% to $1.151, while the dollar slipped 0.17% against the yen to 145.23. The yen gained strength after Japan reported hotter-than-expected inflation, supporting further rate hike expectations from the Bank of Japan.
Meanwhile, the Swiss franc remained flat at 0.816 but is set for its steepest weekly decline since April after Switzerland’s central bank slashed rates to 0%. The Norwegian krone also weakened by over 1% following an unexpected rate cut by Norges Bank.
Risk-sensitive currencies like the Australian and New Zealand dollars stayed stable. The British pound held firm at $1.34.
Although the Fed maintained its projection of two rate cuts this year, Chair Jerome Powell’s cautious tone was perceived as hawkish, reinforcing dollar strength. In contrast, U.S. trade tensions and looming tariffs, particularly a potential 10% rate on EU imports, continue to weigh on global market sentiment.
