U.S. Soybean Shipments to China Gain Momentum as Trade Tensions Ease 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
South Korea Posts Stronger-Than-Expected 1.3% Economic Growth in Q3 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Oil Prices Slip as Russia-Ukraine Peace Hopes Fade and Oversupply Fears Grow 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Dollar Slips as Weak U.S. Manufacturing Data Increases Pressure for Fed Rate Cuts 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Trump Administration Plans Major Rollback of Biden-Era Fuel Economy Standards 
U.S. May Withhold $30.4 Million From Minnesota Over Improper Commercial Driver Licenses 
RBA Signals Possible Rate Implications as Inflation Proves More Persistent 
Global equities ended the week under pressure as hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials dampened hopes for another interest rate cut in December. MSCI’s global stock index slipped, while Wall Street posted a muted performance, weighed down by rising U.S. Treasury yields and renewed inflation concerns.
The S&P 500 rebounded from early losses thanks to bargain hunters, even as major markets from Tokyo to Paris closed sharply lower. Investors were also rattled by uncertainty surrounding Britain’s upcoming budget, adding to the strain on UK markets.
Several Fed policymakers struck a cautious tone, citing persistent inflation and a stabilizing labor market after two rate cuts earlier this year. Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmid warned that inflation remains “too hot,” suggesting he could dissent if the Fed moves forward with a December cut. Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan also signaled opposition, echoing her stance from October.
Following the record-long U.S. government shutdown—now 43 days without official data—traders adjusted expectations, pricing in a roughly 46% chance of a December rate cut, down from nearly 67% last week, according to the CME FedWatch tool.
Despite market jitters, the tech-heavy Nasdaq managed to close slightly higher, supported by renewed interest in high-performing tech stocks. Nvidia gained 1.8%, while the S&P 600 tech index inched up 0.3%. Investors are bracing for a busy week ahead featuring earnings from major retailers and Nvidia, key indicators of consumer strength and AI demand.
The Dow fell 0.65% on the day, while the S&P 500 dipped 0.05% and the Nasdaq rose 0.13%. Global markets mirrored the cautious mood, with European and Asian indexes retreating.
In commodities, oil prices jumped over 2% after a Ukrainian drone attack disrupted exports at Russia’s Novorossiisk port. Meanwhile, gold prices fell sharply as Treasury yields climbed, with spot gold dropping over 2%.
Crypto markets also retreated, with bitcoin down nearly 4% and ethereum slightly lower.
