Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
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.
