Gold Rebounds Above $4,300 Despite Hawkish Fed Rate Hike 
Oil Prices Fall as Saudi Supply Concerns Ease 
European Stocks Rally After Fed Hike, Iran Peace Hopes 
Bessent Presses Japan on Fiscal Policy as Yen Struggles 
US Stock Futures Rally as Markets Digest Fed Rate Hike 
Gold Prices Rise as Oil and Treasury Yields Fall 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Dollar Holds Gains After Fed Rate Hike 
South Korea Producer Prices Rise 0.2% in August 
Trump Hopes Iran War Nears End as Yemen Fighting Escalates 
Yen Sinks as BOJ Rate Hike Fails to Impress Markets 
UK Inflation Rises to 3.1% Ahead of BoE Rate Decision 
BOJ Set for Rate Hike as Inflation and Yen Pressure Mount 
Yemen Fighting Threatens Red Sea Oil Routes 
Trump Threatens EU Tariffs Over Canada Membership Proposal 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Dollar Hits Seven-Week High After Fed Hike 
US Stock Futures Dip After Wall Street Rally 
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Asian stocks advanced on Friday as falling oil prices eased inflation concerns and a technology-led Wall Street rebound boosted investor sentiment ahead of the Bank of Japan’s closely watched interest-rate decision.
Overnight, the Nasdaq Composite surged 1.7%, while the S&P 500 gained 1.1% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.6%. Technology shares led the recovery following the Federal Reserve’s latest rate hike, while lower oil prices helped ease pressure on Treasury yields. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index jumped 3.14%, providing further support for Asian chip stocks.
Brent crude fell 1.2% to $103.56 per barrel, extending its decline for a third consecutive session. Meanwhile, the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield dropped nine basis points to 4.93% after reaching 5.02% on Wednesday.
Middle East supply risks remain a key concern. Saudi Arabia is working to restore roughly half the capacity of its East-West pipeline following drone-strike damage. China has also reportedly urged Iran to help restrain Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, potentially reducing disruptions near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index gained about 0.5%. South Korea’s KOSPI climbed 2.1%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.9%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng advanced 0.7%, and China’s CSI 300 added 0.6%.
Semiconductor shares were among the strongest performers. SK Hynix jumped 4.5%, Samsung Electronics gained 2.8%, and Japan’s Kioxia rose 4.2%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing added 0.6%, while Largan surged 6.2%. Sony and Foxconn bucked the broader trend, falling 1.9% and 1.5%, respectively.
Attention is now turning to the BOJ after Japan’s core consumer inflation slowed to 1.7% in August from 1.8% in July, marking its first decline in four months. Markets expect the central bank to raise its policy rate to 1.25% from 1%.
The yen weakened modestly ahead of the announcement, with investors closely watching Governor Kazuo Ueda’s comments for clues about the pace of future BOJ rate hikes.
