Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
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 
Global stocks rose on Friday, heading for a weekly gain as Wall Street optimism lifted sentiment after key central bank moves. The Federal Reserve cut U.S. interest rates by 0.25%, its first reduction since December. Norway and Canada also lowered rates, fueling investor hopes of looser monetary policy worldwide.
In the U.S., all three major indexes set record highs for a second straight session. The Dow Jones gained 0.37% to 46,315.27, the S&P 500 advanced 0.49% to 6,664.36, and the Nasdaq rose 0.72% to 22,631.48. However, European markets dipped 0.16%, while Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.57% after the Bank of Japan announced plans to sell risky assets. Still, MSCI’s global index hit a record 982.29, up nearly 1% for the week.
Analysts said the Fed’s cautious stance left investors balancing optimism with disappointment. While rate cuts support stocks, the Fed emphasized a data-dependent approach, tempering expectations for an aggressive easing cycle. Treasury yields rose slightly, with the 10-year at 4.129% and the 2-year at 3.574%.
Geopolitical developments also shaped sentiment. U.S. President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping held their first call in months, making progress on a TikTok deal and scheduling a meeting in South Korea. Meanwhile, a U.S. Senate vote failed to advance a spending bill, raising the risk of a government shutdown on October 1.
The dollar strengthened for a third straight day, rising 0.33% to 97.67, with gains against the Swiss franc but losses versus the yen. The euro slipped to $1.1745, and the pound dropped to $1.3467 after the Bank of England slowed bond sales.
Commodities were mixed: Brent crude fell 1.1% to $66.68, WTI slid 1.4% to $62.68, while gold gained 1.04% to $3,681.79, marking its fifth straight weekly rise.
