Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
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 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
U.S. stocks closed lower on Friday as rising geopolitical tensions between Iran and Israel weighed heavily on investor sentiment. The S&P 500 lost 0.22% to 5,967.84, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.51% to 19,447.41. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.08%, closing at 42,206.82.
Markets were jittery heading into the weekend as the U.S. considers whether to intervene in the escalating conflict. President Donald Trump is expected to decide within two weeks, adding pressure on Iran to return to nuclear negotiations. Tehran has said it will not resume talks while under Israeli attack. Israel, meanwhile, claims to have hit dozens of military targets to deter Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Investor caution was reflected in trading volumes, which surged to 20.91 billion shares, significantly above the 20-day average. The session also saw heightened volatility due to a quarterly "triple-witching" event—when stock options, index options, and futures contracts expire simultaneously.
Tech megacaps like Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) led losses, contributing to the Nasdaq’s weekly dip. For the week, the S&P 500 fell 0.2%, the Nasdaq gained 0.2%, and the Dow remained mostly flat.
Investors also digested mixed signals from Federal Reserve officials. While Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned of potential inflation spikes from Trump’s tariffs, Governor Christopher Waller suggested a rate cut could come as early as the next meeting. Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin, however, remained cautious.
On the corporate front, Kroger (NYSE:KR) soared 9.8% after raising its annual sales forecast. In contrast, Accenture (NYSE:ACN) slid 6.9% on weak third-quarter bookings.
Market breadth was negative, with declining stocks outnumbering gainers on both the NYSE and Nasdaq, reflecting broad investor unease.
