Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index soared past the 44,000 mark for the first time on Tuesday, fueled by optimism over trade developments and expectations of stronger stimulus measures. The benchmark climbed 0.9% to 44,018.78 in early trading, while the broader Topix gained 0.4%, signaling strong momentum across Japanese equities.
Investor confidence grew after Japan’s chief tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, announced that U.S. tariffs on Japanese automobiles will be lowered by September 16. This clarification eased concerns surrounding the July trade deal and strengthened sentiment in export-heavy sectors.
The rally followed Monday’s gains, sparked by the resignation of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, known for his fiscal conservatism. Markets welcomed reports that Sanae Takaichi, a strong advocate of government spending and monetary easing, will run in the Liberal Democratic Party leadership race. Her candidacy heightened expectations of aggressive economic stimulus policies, boosting market enthusiasm.
Out of the Nikkei’s listed companies, 144 advanced while 77 declined. Chip-testing equipment maker Advantest led the gainers with a 6.7% surge, followed by Tokuyama, which climbed 5%. On the downside, Citizen Watch dropped 5.8% ahead of its planned removal from the Nikkei in October, while Takeda Pharmaceutical slid 2.4%.
The Nikkei’s historic climb highlights growing investor optimism toward Japan’s economy as global trade tensions ease and prospects of accommodative fiscal and monetary policies strengthen. With automotive tariffs set to fall and stimulus-friendly leadership likely on the horizon, Tokyo’s stock market is positioned for further bullish momentum.
