Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
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 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
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 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
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 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Oil prices inched up on Monday, supported by mounting geopolitical risks in Europe and the Middle East, though expectations of increased supply and concerns over global demand limited gains.
Brent crude futures rose 0.42% to $66.96 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 0.32% to $62.88 by 0118 GMT. Analysts noted that reports of Russia threatening action near the Polish border renewed fears over European energy security. Over the weekend, Poland deployed allied aircraft after Russian airstrikes targeted areas close to its border. NATO also reported that Russian jets violated Estonian airspace, while Germany confirmed a Russian military plane entered neutral Baltic Sea airspace. The United Nations Security Council is set to discuss Estonia’s complaint later Monday.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has intensified drone strikes on Russia’s energy facilities, disrupting terminals and refineries. Adding pressure, U.S. President Donald Trump urged the European Union to halt Russian oil and gas imports.
In the Middle East, four Western nations officially recognized a Palestinian state, sparking sharp criticism from Israel and fueling concerns over stability in the oil-rich region.
Despite the geopolitical uncertainty, oil prices posted weekly declines, with Brent and WTI falling more than 1% on Friday. Market sentiment was weighed down by expectations of higher output from the U.S., OPEC+, and Russia, alongside worries about slowing demand amid trade tariff concerns.
Iraq has already boosted exports, averaging 3.38 million barrels per day (bpd) in August. According to state oil marketer SOMO, September shipments are expected to climb to 3.4–3.45 million bpd as the country unwinds voluntary OPEC+ cuts.
While fears of supply disruptions continue to support prices, the balance between rising production and uncertain demand will likely shape the crude oil market in the coming weeks.
