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 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
The European Central Bank is expected to adopt further policy easing in June, with more stimulus measures likely in September, after it had cut rates in March this year. However, the ECB kept monetary policy unchanged in April, largely to implement other measures announced in March.
The March policy meet witnessed, alongside a rate cut, measures to increase the monthly pace of asset purchases to €80 billion (with corporate bond purchases from June) and preparations for a new funding programme for banks (TLTRO II) to incentivize lending.
Growth figures witnessed an upswing with Eurozone Q1 GDP surprisingly strong at 0.6 pct on quarter, supported by boost in domestic demand. Annual headline inflation fell in to negative territory in April, as per the CB’s expectations, to 0.2 pct.
"Growth outperformed both the US and UK, but we expect it to slow in Q2," said Lloyds Bank in a recent report.
In addition, ECB President Mario Draghi said that it will require time and patience to witness the impact of policy stimulus measures on inflation. However, it will remain concerned about the extent of the decline in core inflation (excluding food and energy) which fell back to a one-year
low of 0.7 pct in April.
"We have maintained our forecasts for German 2yr and 10yr bund yields at -0.5 pct and 0.3 pct
respectively, by the year end, with risks to the downside if the anticipated start of the recovery in inflation later in the year fails to materialize," said Lloyds Bank in a research note.
