Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
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 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
U.S. stocks ended mixed Friday, with the S&P 500 securing a two-week winning streak despite slipping 0.1% after reaching a record intraday high of 6,594.67. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 273 points, or 0.6%, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.5%. Rising Treasury yields and weak consumer sentiment weighed on markets.
The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 55.4 in September from 58.2, missing forecasts. While one-year inflation expectations held steady at 4.8%, five-year expectations rose to 3.9% from 3.5%, signaling persistent inflation concerns. Meanwhile, 10-year Treasury yields climbed 6 basis points to 4.07%, even as markets priced in a near-certain Federal Reserve rate cut next week. Futures traders anticipate a 25 basis point reduction, though a larger move remains possible.
Recent data added to expectations of monetary easing. Consumer prices posted the sharpest monthly gain since January, while jobless claims spiked to 263,000, the highest since 2021. Analysts suggest the Fed’s priority has shifted from inflation to stabilizing the weakening labor market.
Global fund flows reflected investor caution, with equity funds posting $3.06 billion in outflows—the first in five weeks. U.S. equity funds lost $10.44 billion, though European and Asian funds attracted $3.77 billion and $1.87 billion in inflows, respectively.
On the corporate front, Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE) raised its annual outlook, citing robust demand for AI-driven creative software. Super Micro Computer (NASDAQ: SMCI) began volume shipments of Nvidia Blackwell Ultra solutions, while RH (NYSE: RH) missed revenue estimates. Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and OpenAI reached a non-binding agreement on the AI firm’s for-profit transition. New IPOs include Gemini Space Station, Black Rock Coffee Bar, Via Transportation, and Legence.
