Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Oil prices rose modestly in Asian trading, rebounding from a five-month low as hopes for a U.S.-Russia summit over the Ukraine conflict faded. The collapse of these diplomatic talks signaled ongoing geopolitical instability, which often bolsters crude prices due to supply risk concerns.
Brent crude futures for December delivery climbed 0.3% to $61.53 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures rose 0.4% to $57.47 per barrel as of 00:51 GMT. Both benchmarks had dropped earlier in the week, weighed down by renewed trade tensions between the U.S. and China. However, positive economic growth data from China and conciliatory remarks from U.S. officials helped stabilize sentiment and lent support to oil markets.
The planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin was indefinitely postponed after Moscow refused to agree to an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump stated that meeting Putin would be “a waste of time,” dampening expectations of a breakthrough. Russia continues to insist that Ukraine surrender territory as a condition for peace—an offer Kyiv firmly rejects. Reports indicate Trump’s recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was tense, though Zelensky described it publicly as productive, claiming Trump had agreed to support a ceasefire along current front lines.
Adding further optimism, data from the American Petroleum Institute (API) showed a drawdown of 2.98 million barrels in U.S. crude inventories for the week ending October 18. This follows a 3.5 million-barrel build the previous week. The decline eased fears of oversupply and weak demand that have weighed on prices in recent weeks.
Market watchers now await official U.S. government inventory data, expected later Wednesday, for confirmation of the API’s findings. Any further signs of tightening supply could help sustain the recent recovery in oil prices.
