Asian Currencies Muted as Dollar Firms Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit 
South Korea to Brief Lawmakers on $350 Billion US Investment Package 
Canada Unveils Bill to Fast-Track Major Resource Projects 
Yen Weakens as Dollar Gains on Widening US-Japan Rate Gap 
Vietnam Stocks Join FTSE Emerging Market Indexes, Unlocking Billions in Foreign Investment 
Vietnam, US Trade Deal Could Be Signed Soon, To Lam Says 
Asia Stocks Rise on AI Demand as Oil Eases 
European Stocks Slip as Iran Tensions Offset Strong Eurozone Data 
Yen in Focus as BOJ, Fed Rate Hikes Reshape Currency Markets 
France Debt-to-GDP Ratio Seen Hitting Record 119.3% in 2026 
Gold Prices Rise as Oil Slump Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Gold Prices Slip as Strong Dollar and Hawkish Fed Pressure Bullion 
US-China Talks Target AI, Tariffs Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit 
Wall Street Surges as Meta Leads AI Rally, Oil Prices Fall 
RBA Says ASX Still Falls Short on Governance and Risk Controls 
Asian Stocks Mixed Ahead of Trump-Xi Meeting 
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U.S. stock futures edged higher Wednesday as investors focused on renewed artificial intelligence enthusiasm, upcoming U.S. economic data and a key meeting between U.S. and Chinese leaders.
Dow Jones futures rose 41 points, or 0.1%, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures also gained 0.1% as of 02:57 ET. Wall Street finished mixed Tuesday, with the Dow declining, the S&P 500 flat and the Nasdaq Composite advancing.
AI stocks remained in focus after strong consumer demand for Meta Platforms’ new Muse AI agent boosted semiconductor shares and helped drive the Nasdaq to record highs. However, Muse’s rapid adoption also raised concerns about disruption across financial services, travel and other industries.
Financial stocks came under pressure as investors assessed Muse’s partnerships with PayPal and Plaid in payments and financial planning. JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and several brokerage firms declined, while Charles Schwab and LPL Financial fell more than 6%. Travel stocks also weakened amid expectations that AI agents could reshape trip planning and bookings.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is scheduled to speak at a company event Wednesday, where Muse and broader AI developments are expected to attract attention. Meta shares have climbed more than 20% since Muse launched on September 8, adding over $200 billion to the company’s market value.
Investors are also watching the debate over AI safety as technology companies accelerate spending on chips, data centers and other AI infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Brent crude remained below $100 per barrel as markets monitored diplomatic efforts surrounding the Middle East conflict. President Donald Trump said U.S. officials held productive talks with Iranian representatives Tuesday, fueling hopes for further negotiations. Saudi Arabia has also restarted oil flows through its east-west pipeline, while Iraq is increasing exports.
On the economic front, preliminary S&P Global U.S. PMI data is due Wednesday. The services PMI is expected to ease to 56.0 from 56.5 in August, while manufacturing activity is forecast at 53.4, down from 53.9. Readings above 50 indicate economic expansion.
