China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
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 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
U.S. stock futures traded narrowly higher on Wednesday evening after a volatile Wall Street session, as investors assessed the Federal Reserve’s rate decision and a fresh wave of major tech earnings.
S&P 500 futures rose 0.1% to 6,932.0 points, while Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.1% to 26,300.00 points. Dow Jones futures were flat at 47,838.0 points. Earlier, the Dow slipped 0.2%, the S&P 500 ended nearly unchanged, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.6%.
The Fed cut its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to a range of 3.75%–4.00%, marking its second consecutive reduction. However, Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasized uncertainty about future moves, stating another rate cut in December was “far from” guaranteed. He noted that policymakers were “navigating in the fog” amid mixed economic signals and uneven inflation progress.
Markets, which had largely priced in another cut by year-end, adjusted expectations following Powell’s comments. Analysts at ING said they still anticipate a December cut, projecting at least two more reductions next year to bolster growth and weaken the dollar.
Investors also monitored global developments ahead of a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea. The leaders are expected to discuss trade, technology, and rare earth supply chains, with hopes for a temporary pause in tariffs and easing of export restrictions.
Earnings from tech giants also shaped market sentiment. Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) surged over 7% in after-hours trading after exceeding revenue forecasts, while Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) slipped 3% amid cost concerns. Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) fell 8% after warning of higher 2026 capital expenses and a $16 billion one-time charge. Investors now await results from Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN).
