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 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Oil prices slipped nearly 1% on Monday as crude exports resumed from Iraq’s Kurdistan region and expectations grew that OPEC+ will increase production in November, adding pressure to global supply dynamics.
Brent crude futures fell 63 cents, or 0.90%, to $69.50 a barrel by 0023 GMT, retreating after hitting the highest level since July 31 on Friday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropped 65 cents, or 0.99%, to $65.07, giving back most of last week’s rally.
Analysts noted that concerns over rising supply continue to weigh on the market, even as near-term fundamentals remain tight. Michael McCarthy, CEO of investor platform Moomoo Australia and New Zealand, said ongoing fears of production increases are limiting price gains.
Over the weekend, crude oil began flowing again through a pipeline from northern Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region to Turkey’s Ceyhan port. This marks the first shipment in two and a half years, following an interim deal between Iraq’s federal government, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), and foreign producers. Initial exports are expected at 180,000–190,000 barrels per day, with volumes potentially rising to 230,000 bpd. The United States had urged for the restart, which brings additional barrels into the global market.
At the same time, OPEC and its allies, collectively known as OPEC+, are preparing to approve another production hike of at least 137,000 bpd at their upcoming meeting, according to sources. Rising oil prices are motivating the group to boost output and capture market share. However, OPEC+ has been underproducing, pumping nearly 500,000 bpd below its targets, which has so far prevented fears of oversupply from materializing.
Last week, Brent and WTI posted their strongest gains since June, rising over 4%, fueled by Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian energy facilities that curbed fuel exports. Meanwhile, Russia escalated attacks on Kyiv and other regions, further fueling geopolitical risks that keep oil markets volatile.
