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Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
RBA Signals Possible Rate Implications as Inflation Proves More Persistent 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Japan’s Service Sector Sustains Growth Momentum in November 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
U.S. Soybean Shipments to China Gain Momentum as Trade Tensions Ease 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
The U.S. dollar strengthened in early Asian trading on Monday as investors weighed weak global economic data against signs of progress in U.S. government funding talks. The dollar index, which measures the greenback’s performance against six major currencies, rose 0.2% to 99.740, snapping a three-day losing streak as both the yen and the euro weakened.
Market sentiment improved after Senate Majority Leader John Thune signaled that bipartisan negotiations to reopen the U.S. government were making headway. The Senate is expected to vote soon on a proposal to fund the government through January, potentially ending the record-long shutdown that has strained consumer confidence and growth. Tony Sycamore, market analyst at IG in Sydney, noted that the dollar’s retreat late last week is likely to reverse with this renewed optimism.
Last Friday’s data showed the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index fell to its lowest level in nearly three and a half years, reflecting the toll of the shutdown. “The consumer confidence data was a shocker,” said Sycamore. “This progress toward reopening the government could help repair the damage.”
Against the yen, the dollar rose 0.3% to 153.82 yen after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced plans to revise the nation’s fiscal targets, easing its stance on spending. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan’s latest report suggested Japan’s economic outlook is improving.
Elsewhere, the euro slipped 0.1% to $1.155, while the British pound dropped 0.2% to $1.314. The offshore yuan held steady at 7.1261 per dollar. The Australian dollar edged up 0.1% to $0.6502, and the New Zealand dollar eased 0.1% to $0.5626.
Analysts at Standard Chartered warned that Asia’s growth may slow as export momentum fades, while Fed futures indicate a 67% chance of a 25-basis-point rate cut in December—factors likely to keep the U.S. dollar supported in the near term.
