Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
U.S. stock futures were steady on Monday evening after Wall Street’s main indexes closed at record highs, fueled by growing optimism over an expected Federal Reserve rate cut and progress in U.S.-China trade talks.
As of 20:00 ET (00:00 GMT), S&P 500 Futures edged up 0.1% to 6,914.50, Nasdaq 100 Futures gained 0.2% to 26,008.75, and Dow Jones Futures rose 0.1% to 47,749.0. Earlier, the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.7%, the S&P 500 climbed 1.2%, and the NASDAQ Composite jumped 1.9% — marking new all-time highs for the second straight session.
The rally was led by strong gains in technology and consumer discretionary stocks, as investors looked ahead to a crucial week of central bank decisions and corporate earnings. Markets are widely expecting the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates by 25 basis points at its two-day policy meeting starting Tuesday, lowering the federal funds rate to a 3.75%-4.00%range. The move comes after a softer-than-expected September CPI report reinforced expectations for monetary easing.
Investor confidence also improved following reports of constructive trade discussions between U.S. and Chinese officialsin Kuala Lumpur. The talks reportedly laid the groundwork for a potential trade framework deal, which could be finalized during the upcoming meeting between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping. The agreement may include rolling back certain tariffs and easing restrictions on rare-earth exports.
Meanwhile, Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) surged over 11% after launching a new AI chip, intensifying competition with Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) and AMD (NASDAQ:AMD). The broader chip sector rallied on the news, boosting overall market sentiment.
Investors are also gearing up for a busy earnings week, with major reports expected from Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL), Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META). The “Magnificent 7” tech giants continued to drive gains, supported by strong expectations for growth in artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
