European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
The U.S. dollar remained under pressure on Friday, heading for its biggest weekly decline in nearly three months amid growing concerns about trade tensions, economic weakness, and potential Federal Reserve rate cuts. The dollar index held at 98.23, down 0.6% for the week, as an extended U.S. government shutdown delayed the release of key economic data, further clouding the outlook for the economy.
According to Pepperstone strategist Dilin Wu, escalating trade frictions and uncertainty surrounding the Fed’s independence are pushing investors toward alternative assets such as gold and cryptocurrencies. “It’s really hard to find a bullish scenario for the dollar index,” Wu noted, adding that investors are seeking safety in assets that can’t easily be devalued.
The Japanese yen strengthened 0.2% to 150.12 per dollar after Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda signaled readiness to raise rates if growth and inflation forecasts improve. BOJ Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida is also expected to speak later on Friday. Meanwhile, the euro edged up 0.1% to $1.1701, and the British pound rose 0.1% to $1.3446.
Fed Governor Christopher Waller expressed support for another rate cut at the central bank’s upcoming meeting, citing mixed labor market data. Fellow governor Stephen Miran also backed deeper cuts, aligning with U.S. President Donald Trump’s push for a more aggressive monetary stance. The Fed’s Beige Book highlighted emerging economic weakness, including rising layoffs and softer spending among middle- and lower-income households.
Adding to global uncertainty, China rejected U.S. calls to ease restrictions on rare earth exports, accusing Washington of stoking panic. Meanwhile, digital assets continued to attract investors seeking hedges, with bitcoin gaining 0.6% to $108,534.66 and ether up 1.8% to $3,919.71.
