Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
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 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
South Korea’s economy posted steady growth in the third quarter, supported by resilient exports and improving household consumption, according to a Reuters poll. Economists projected Asia’s fourth-largest economy to have expanded 0.9% quarter-on-quarter between July and September, maintaining momentum from the previous quarter’s solid performance. On a yearly basis, GDP was expected to rise 1.5%, up from 0.6% growth in the April-June period.
Analysts said domestic demand is showing gradual improvement, with consumption rebounding and export performance exceeding expectations thanks to booming semiconductor demand. “Despite construction investment continuing to decline sharply, exports are benefiting from strong global chip demand,” said Kelvin Lam, senior economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics.
Exports surged 12.6% in September, marking the fastest increase in over a year, driven by the AI-fueled semiconductor market. The government’s 31.8 trillion won supplementary budget, approved in July, also provided a boost to consumer spending and overall demand.
The Bank of Korea kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.50% on Thursday to balance risks in the housing sector and stabilize the weakening won, which recently hit a six-month low against the U.S. dollar. Although many economists previously anticipated a rate cut next month, several now expect the central bank to delay easing until early 2026. “A November rate cut seems unlikely as the bank monitors the impact of new property curbs,” said Shivaan Tandon, Asia economist at Capital Economics.
Meanwhile, negotiations over a major trade deal between Seoul and Washington remain unresolved. The U.S. is pressing for a $350 billion upfront investment, but South Korea has resisted, citing foreign reserve constraints. Economists suggest extending the investment timeline and allowing early cash flow repatriation could help finalize the agreement.
