European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
The U.S. dollar held firm on Monday, with investors bracing for a crucial week of central bank meetings led by the Federal Reserve. Trading was thin in Asia due to a Japanese holiday, keeping most currencies within tight ranges.
The euro dipped 0.09% to $1.1724 after Fitch downgraded France’s credit rating to AA-, its lowest level on record. Despite concerns over political instability and mounting debt, markets largely brushed off the move. Analysts noted that focus remains on upcoming interest rate decisions in the U.S., Japan, the U.K., Canada, and Norway.
The dollar index steadied at 97.65 as markets await the Fed’s policy announcement on Wednesday. Expectations of a 25-basis-point cut are fully priced in, though some analysts suggest a surprise 50-basis-point move could weaken the greenback significantly. Investors will closely monitor the Fed’s “dot plot” and Chair Jerome Powell’s guidance for signals on the pace of future easing.
Sterling held near $1.3554, while the Australian dollar hovered close to a 10-month high at $0.6652. The yen strengthened slightly to 147.56 per dollar ahead of the Bank of Japan’s meeting, with Governor Kazuo Ueda’s comments expected to guide sentiment. Analysts at MUFG said the yen’s weakness could reverse if the BOJ signals a potential rate hike as early as next month.
Elsewhere, the New Zealand dollar eased 0.03% to $0.5953, while the offshore yuan stayed steady at 7.1230 per dollar. Meanwhile, U.S. and Chinese officials wrapped up the first day of trade talks in Madrid, focusing on tariffs and Washington’s pressure over Chinese imports of Russian oil, alongside concerns about TikTok’s future in the U.S.
