Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
ECB Policymaker Yannis Stournaras Backs Interest Rate Cuts Amid Declining Inflation
Yannis Stournaras, a key European Central Bank (ECB) policymaker, supports two interest rate cuts before the end of the year and anticipates further monetary easing in 2025. In an interview with the Financial Times, he highlighted that inflation is trending downward, reinforcing the case for reducing the ECB's main policy rate.
“Even with a 25 basis point cut now and another in December, the ECB's main interest rate would still be at 3% — a highly restrictive level,” stated Stournaras, who also serves as the governor of the Greek central bank.
ECB Interest Rate Cuts Expected to Continue
Stournaras predicted that inflation could meet the ECB's 2% target by mid-2025, supporting quicker interest rate cuts than previously forecast. He added that inflation is falling faster than the European Central Bank anticipated in its September projections, which strengthens the argument for additional cuts.
The ECB has already implemented two interest rate cuts this year, and the market is pricing in further reductions in both October and December. This signals that investors are factoring in slower economic growth and a faster-than-expected decrease in inflationary pressures.
Strategic Interest Rate Reductions in Focus
“If inflation continues its downward trajectory towards the 2% target, there’s no reason not to consider cutting rates at every meeting,” Stournaras told the Financial Times.
ECB President Christine Lagarde recently hinted at a possible rate cut in October, further fueling expectations. Several policymakers have voiced support for the cut, which is expected on October 17, while only a few members of the 26-member Governing Council have expressed concerns. The primary debate now centers on the next steps in December.
