Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Global markets advanced Monday as weak U.S. labor data boosted expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut this month. Stocks rose and the dollar wavered, while gold hovered near record highs and Treasury yields stayed close to five-month lows. The U.S. economy added far fewer jobs than forecast in August, cementing bets on monetary easing.
Political uncertainty in Japan added volatility after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned, raising questions over future fiscal and monetary policy. Investors are closely watching who will succeed him, with Liberal Democratic Party veteran Sanae Takaichi seen as a potential candidate. A supporter of looser policies, Takaichi has criticized recent Bank of Japan rate hikes. The yen weakened 0.6% to 148.39 per dollar, while the Nikkei surged 1.8%, nearing record highs.
In broader Asia, MSCI’s regional index gained 0.4%, while Chinese blue chips rose 0.3% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng added 0.35%. U.S. S&P 500 futures climbed 0.19%, and European futures rose 0.45%.
The Fed is widely expected to cut rates by 25 basis points in September, though traders are pricing an 8% chance of a larger 50 bps move, with 68 bps of easing anticipated by year-end. Analysts argue lower rates are necessary to keep U.S. equities supported against global peers.
In Europe, political risks remain high as French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou faces a confidence vote likely to fail, deepening the euro zone’s second-largest economy’s crisis. The euro eased to $1.1713, while sterling traded at $1.3492.
Commodities extended gains, with gold at $3,588 per ounce, close to the $3,600 mark after rallying 37% this year. Oil also advanced about 1% as OPEC+ pledged slower output hikes from October amid weaker demand expectations.
