Asian Stocks Fall as Bond Yields and Oil Prices Surge 
U.S. Stock Futures Steady as AI, Rate Concerns Weigh 
Central Banks Could Buy 20,000 Tonnes of Gold: BofA 
BOJ Set for 25-Basis-Point Rate Hike as Yen Weakness Fuels Inflation 
Fed’s Williams Signals One More Rate Hike Before Year-End 
Japan Factory Output Unexpectedly Falls 1.7% in August 
Australia Inflation Accelerates to 4% After RBA Rate Hike 
RBI Uses $10 Billion Currency Swaps to Drain Excess Rupee Liquidity 
Asian Stocks Rise as Bond Yields Ease Ahead of U.S. Inflation Data 
South Korea Exports Set for 16th Monthly Gain on AI Chip Demand 
Gold Prices Slip as High Treasury Yields Weigh on Bullion 
Fed Unveils Stablecoin Rules Under GENIUS Act 
South Korea Exports Surge 83.5% on AI Chip Boom 
Add as a preferred source on Google
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
