Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Global stock markets slipped on Wednesday while gold retreated sharply from its recent rally, as investors reassessed stretched valuations and booked profits. The pullback followed growing geopolitical uncertainty after the planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin was postponed, while doubts lingered over a potential meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Despite recent conciliatory tones from Washington and Beijing, Trump added to the ambiguity, saying the meeting “maybe won’t happen.”
Gold prices tumbled more than 5% on Tuesday, marking one of the sharpest declines this year, before sliding another 0.6% to $4,098.89 per ounce. The metal had surged over 50% year-to-date, driven by safe-haven demand amid global uncertainty and expectations of U.S. rate cuts. Analysts, including Tony Sycamore from IG, attributed the sell-off to excessive speculative positioning and “FOMO-driven” buying, noting parallels with stretched valuations in tech-heavy markets such as the Nasdaq.
The MSCI Asia-Pacific ex-Japan index dipped 0.24%, while Nasdaq futures fell 0.2% and S&P 500 futures eased 0.07%. Netflix shares plunged nearly 6% after missing quarterly earnings, while General Motors jumped 15% following an upbeat profit outlook. In Europe, futures also weakened, with the EUROSTOXX 50, FTSE, and DAX down between 0.15% and 0.5%.
Japan’s Nikkei dropped 0.9% after two days of gains fueled by optimism over fiscal stimulus under new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Analysts see “Sanaenomics” as supportive for equities through pro-growth and reform-focused policies. Meanwhile, China’s CSI300 fell 0.2% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slipped 0.42%.
In currency markets, the yen weakened 0.8% following Takaichi’s win, while the dollar held firm. The Bank of Japan is expected to keep rates unchanged next week, and the U.S. Federal Reserve is widely anticipated to cut rates by 25 basis points. Oil prices edged higher, with Brent at $61.51 and WTI at $57.46 per barrel, as markets awaited further central bank cues amid a prolonged U.S. government shutdown.
