Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Japan's Core Inflation Declines Amid Energy Subsidies
Japan's core inflation rate slowed to 2.4% in September from a previous 2.8%, largely attributed to the government's rollout of energy subsidies. While this decline is significant, an index excluding fresh food and fuel remained steady at 2.1%, indicating persistent price pressures that could influence the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) future interest rate decisions.
Despite this slowdown, a Reuters poll revealed that inflation in Tokyo, a key indicator of national trends, is expected to fall below the BOJ's 2% target in October. This tepid performance raises concerns about the sustainability of wage growth as a driver for consumption.
Economists, including Junichi Makino from SMBC Nikko Securities, anticipate that falling global commodity prices and a strengthening yen will further reduce food prices in the coming months. Nationwide data for September showed service inflation decelerating to 1.3%, reinforcing the BOJ's cautious stance on future rate hikes.
As Japan's economy showed a robust annualized growth of 2.9% in Q2, the central bank will closely analyze upcoming data to assess whether domestic demand can support stable inflation rates. With the BOJ's next policy meeting scheduled for October 30-31, market analysts predict potential rate hikes may occur by March next year.
