European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
The U.S. dollar climbed to a two-week high against the yen on Monday, buoyed by optimism over global trade talks and anticipation of major central bank meetings. The greenback gained 0.15% to 153.07 yen, touching its strongest level since October 10, while the dollar index edged up 0.05% to 98.97.
The Australian dollar rose 0.2% to $0.6528, supported by progress in trade negotiations between the U.S. and China that lifted investor sentiment toward risk assets. Meanwhile, the euro held steady at $1.1622 but surged to a record 178.13 yen, as the Japanese currency weakened sharply. The Swiss franc also hit an all-time high of 192.25 yen. Sterling gained slightly, up 0.04% to $1.3314.
Market attention now turns to a busy week of diplomacy and monetary policy decisions. U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, where the two leaders are expected to finalize the framework of a trade deal. Ahead of that, Trump will visit Japan and meet Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Investors are also watching the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy meeting closely. The Fed is expected to cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to a range of 4%–4.25%, following weaker inflation data. Analysts suggest that while rate cuts are already priced in, markets will focus on Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s comments for signals about future monetary easing.
In Asia, the Bank of Japan is likely to keep its policy rate unchanged at 0.5%, although discussions on potential rate hikes could emerge as economic concerns ease.
Cryptocurrencies mirrored the upbeat sentiment—Bitcoin gained 1.6% to $115,157.36, while Ethereum rose 3.3% to $4,198.69, reflecting broader optimism across financial markets.
