Trump Urges Gasoline Retailers to Cut Prices to $2.50 Per Gallon, Warns of Legal Action 
UK House Prices Hold Steady in June as Annual Growth Misses Forecasts 
ECB Set to Raise Interest Rates as Energy Shock Fuels Eurozone Inflation Concerns 
Indonesia Central Bank to Draft New Regulations After Expanded Economic Growth Mandate 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
BOJ Raises Interest Rates to 31-Year High, Signals Strong Focus on Inflation Risks 
Gold Prices Drop as Fed Rate Outlook and Iran Tensions Weigh on Market 
Goldman Sachs Sees Fed Holding Interest Rates Steady Until 2027 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Peace Talks and Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
Gold Price Drops to Eight-Month Low as Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Bullion. Source: Photo by Michael Steinberg via Pexels 
China Manufacturing PMI Edges Higher in June as Exports and AI Investment Boost Growth 
Greece’s Bad Loan Crisis Continues to Limit Credit Access Despite Economic Recovery 
Trump Suspends Some Morocco Fertilizer Tariffs to Ease U.S. Supply Shortage 
New Zealand Unemployment and Inflation Debate Intensifies Ahead of 2026 Election 
Central Banks Eye Gold, Reduce Dollar Exposure as AI Adoption Accelerates: OMFIF Survey 
The Federal Reserve kicked off its rate-cutting cycle earlier this month with a 50-basis-point cut. The upcoming October nonfarm payrolls report, expected on Friday, will be closely watched. Economists project the U.S. to have added around 144,000 jobs, providing insights into how the labor market is performing amid rate changes.
The data is key for investors looking to gauge a "soft landing," where inflation is curbed without major impacts on economic growth. If the numbers disappoint, recession concerns may rise. Conversely, stronger-than-expected job growth could signal that the Fed may not cut rates as aggressively as some expect.
Powell’s Speech on Economic Outlook
Fed Chair Jerome Powell will speak to the National Association for Business Economics on Monday. His remarks are likely to echo his previous press conference, where he cited growing confidence in controlling inflation and the shift in risks affecting the labor market as justification for the outsized rate cut. Additionally, comments from regional Fed presidents Bowman, Bostic, Barkin, and Williams are anticipated this week.
Labor market data from Tuesday’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) and Wednesday's ADP private sector report will provide further indications before the main jobs report.
Q4 Market Volatility
The fourth quarter begins amid continued market volatility. Stocks have recently hit record highs, and China’s stimulus efforts have impacted global borrowing costs and oil prices. The upcoming U.S. election in November is expected to add more uncertainty to market dynamics.
Eurozone Inflation Trends
The eurozone is set to release flash September inflation data on Tuesday, a key indicator as the European Central Bank debates further rate cuts in October. Economists expect inflation to fall below the ECB's 2% target, primarily due to lower energy prices.
Oil Prices Fluctuate
Oil prices fell over the past week, with Brent crude down about 3% and U.S. crude futures dropping 5%. While China’s economic stimulus offered support, supply concerns grew following reports that OPEC+ will proceed with plans\ to increase production by 180,000 barrels per day starting in December. Energy traders will be watching labor market data, as interest rate cuts typically boost economic activity and energy demand.
—Reuters contributed reporting
