BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Gold prices edged lower in Asian trading on Friday, poised for their first weekly decline in ten weeks, as investors booked profits following recent record highs and awaited crucial U.S. inflation data. Spot gold fell 0.4% to $4,109.55 per ounce at 01:35 ET (05:35 GMT), while U.S. gold futures slipped 0.5% to $4,123.70. The yellow metal had surged to an all-time high of $4,381.29 earlier in the week before retreating more than 5% on Tuesday.
Despite its impressive nine-week rally, gold was on track for a 3% weekly loss, driven by profit-taking and improving market sentiment after signs of easing U.S.-China tensions. Analysts noted that the pullback was natural following record-breaking gains, especially as investors awaited key economic data that could shape the Federal Reserve’s next move.
The White House confirmed that President Donald Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea next week, boosting hopes of a thaw in trade relations between the world’s two largest economies. Meanwhile, traders were focused on the delayed U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for September, seen as pivotal for the Fed’s policy outlook. Markets largely expect a 25-basis-point rate cut at the upcoming meeting, but the CPI outcome could sway sentiment. A softer reading could bolster gold by reinforcing expectations of monetary easing, while a stronger print might strengthen the dollar and Treasury yields, pressuring bullion.
The dollar held firm, on pace for a weekly gain, making gold more expensive for non-U.S. buyers. Nonetheless, analysts remain optimistic about gold’s long-term prospects, citing lower rate expectations and persistent geopolitical uncertainty.
Other metals also traded weaker, with silver futures down 1% at $48.13, platinum steady at $1,594.60, and copper slipping 0.5% to $10,832.20 per ton. China’s new five-year economic plan, emphasizing technological self-reliance and domestic demand, offered some optimism for future industrial growth.
