Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low; Gold Falls and Oil Mixed 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene as USD/JPY Nears 161 Amid Yen Weakness 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
Dollar Surges After Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Potential Tightening Ahead 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
German Auto Suppliers Turn Bearish as Investment and Jobs Shift Overseas 
Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Fed Decision and US-Iran Deal Details 
The Japanese yen slipped to its weakest level in more than nine months in early Asian trading on Tuesday, pressured by a stronger U.S. dollar and fading expectations of an imminent Federal Reserve rate cut. The dollar rose as much as 0.1% to 155.29 yen, marking the Japanese currency’s softest point since February 4. Investors are now turning their attention to the delayed U.S. September payrolls report due Thursday, which could further shape market sentiment.
Japan’s recent currency moves sparked concern from Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, who noted that policymakers are “alarmed” by the yen’s rapid, one-sided decline. Her comments underscore growing anxiety about the economic fallout of a weak yen, which raises import costs and strains household spending.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is scheduled to meet Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda later on Tuesday. Takaichi, known for supporting aggressive fiscal stimulus and ultra-loose monetary policy, has appointed like-minded policymakers to key roles—an approach that typically weighs on the yen’s value. Meanwhile, market pricing through the CME FedWatch tool shows the likelihood of a 25-basis-point Fed rate cut in December has dropped to 43%, down sharply from 62% a week ago.
The dollar index also strengthened, rising 0.2% to 99.545 and snapping a four-day slide. Analysts at ING noted that even if the Fed pauses in December, markets expect any hold to be temporary, with upcoming economic data—particularly employment indicators—playing a decisive role.
Fed officials added to the cautious tone on Monday. Governor Christopher Waller highlighted a growing trend of U.S. companies preparing for layoffs amid concerns about slowing demand and potential AI-driven productivity shifts. Vice Chair Philip Jefferson described the labor market as “sluggish,” citing employer hesitation to expand hiring.
Risk sentiment weakened across global markets, dragging U.S. equities lower. Treasury yields were mixed, with the two-year note easing slightly to 3.6039% and the 10-year yield edging up to 4.1366%. Major currencies also softened against the dollar, with the euro trading at $1.1594, sterling at $1.3149, and the Australian dollar at $0.6493, while the New Zealand dollar held steady at $0.56535.
