Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
U.S. stocks closed at record highs for a third consecutive session on Monday, lifted by technology shares. Nvidia jumped 3.9% after announcing plans to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI and supply the AI firm with data center chips, fueling further optimism about artificial intelligence growth. Apple shares climbed 4.3% after Wedbush raised its price target on strong demand signals for the iPhone 17, while Tesla gained 1.9%.
Technology stocks drove the S&P 500 sector gains, which ended 1.7% higher. The S&P 500 has now risen 13.8% year-to-date and 3.6% in September, traditionally a weak month for markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 66.27 points, or 0.14%, to 46,381.54, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 157.50 points, or 0.70%, to 22,788.98. The S&P 500 gained 29.39 points, or 0.44%, closing at 6,693.75.
Investor sentiment was mixed as Federal Reserve officials delivered varying views on rate cuts. St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem and Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic signaled caution, stressing inflation control over additional easing. Meanwhile, Fed Governor Stephen Miran, who dissented in favor of a larger rate cut last week, warned monetary policy remains restrictive.
Market watchers noted valuations are stretched, with some investors awaiting new catalysts for further gains. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s newly announced visa fee hikes drew criticism from tech executives, and Kenvue shares fell 7.5% on fears of a Tylenol-autism link before rebounding 4.7% after Trump’s FDA remarks.
Traders now look ahead to key economic data, including the U.S. personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, a closely followed inflation gauge. Market breadth remained positive, with advancing issues outnumbering decliners on both the NYSE and Nasdaq. Trading volume reached 18.65 billion shares, above the 20-day average.
