UK Economy Grows 0.1% in Q3 2025 as Outlook Remains Fragile 
EU Approves €90 Billion Ukraine Aid as Frozen Russian Asset Plan Stalls 
U.S. Dollar Slips as Yen Finds Support on Intervention Signals and Geopolitical Risks Rise 
Oil Prices Climb in Asian Trade as Venezuela Sanctions and Middle East Tensions Fuel Risk Premium 
South Korea Central Bank Warns of Rising Financial Stability Risks Amid Won Volatility 
Asian Stocks Rise as Wall Street Tech Rally Lifts Markets, Yen Slumps Despite BOJ Rate Hike 
Why U.S. Coffee Prices Are Staying High Despite Trump’s Tariff Rollbacks 
Japan Signals Possible Yen Intervention as Currency Weakens Despite BOJ Rate Hike 
Gold Price Breaks $4,500 as Safe-Haven Demand and Rate Cut Bets Fuel Rally 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady After S&P 500 Hits Record on Strong Economic Data 
German Exports to the U.S. Decline Sharply as Tariffs Reshape Trade in 2025 
Global Demand for Yuan Loans and Bonds Surges as China Pushes Currency Internationalization 
Yen Slides as BOJ Caution Undercuts Rate Hike Impact 
Global Markets Rise as Tech Stocks Lead, Yen Strengthens, and Commodities Hit Record Highs 
Asian Markets Rise as AI Rally Caps 2025, Gold and Silver Hit Record Highs 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy Shares Support MOEX Index 
Japan’s Business Activity Shrinks in October: PMI Data
Preliminary data from the au Jibun Bank showed Japan’s business activity contracted in October 2024, with both manufacturing and services sectors shrinking. This marks a significant downturn in Japan’s economic outlook, driven by weak demand and production challenges in key industries.
Manufacturing Sector Contraction
Japan's manufacturing PMI fell to 49.0 in October, down from 49.7 in September, indicating a deeper contraction than expected. This is the third consecutive month of decline for the sector, reflecting disruptions in major automakers facing a growing safety scandal. Additionally, shrinking local and overseas demand caused order growth to decline, further exacerbating the slowdown.
The Services Sector Slips into Contraction
The services sector, which had previously been a source of resilience for Japan's economy, also saw a sharp drop. The services PMI decreased from 53.1 in September to 49.3 in October, falling into contraction for the first time since June. The dip in services activity contributed to a decline in overall business activity, as the composite PMI fell to 49.4 from 52.0 in the previous month.
Economic Outlook
Economists from S&P Global highlighted weaker economic conditions, noting that while private spending had picked up, it was insufficient to offset broader challenges. Japanese companies are growing more cautious about the country’s economic future.
