Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Canada Stocks Steady as Markets Await Fed and BoC Decisions 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
U.S. Stocks Rise as Cooler Inflation Boosts Hopes for Fed Rate Cut 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
Austria’s AA Credit Rating Affirmed as Fitch Highlights Stable Outlook 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Gold Prices Inch Higher as Fed Rate-Cut Expectations Strengthen 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Asian currencies traded within tight ranges on Wednesday as investors awaited the U.S. Federal Reserve’s highly anticipated interest rate decision. The dollar remained steady after recent gains, while market participants also kept an eye on the upcoming Bank of Japan (BOJ) policy meeting and a scheduled discussion between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The Australian dollar stood out, with the AUD/USD pair rising 0.2% to nearly a three-week high. Stronger-than-expected inflation data dampened expectations of further rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia, boosting the currency.
Regional currencies found support in recent sessions amid signs of progress in U.S.-China trade negotiations and growing confidence in a potential Fed rate cut. The dollar index and its futures gained slightly in Asian trading, remaining firm ahead of the Fed’s announcement. Markets expect a 25-basis-point rate reduction as the U.S. economy shows signs of slowing inflation and labor market growth. However, traders are looking to Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks for guidance on future monetary policy.
The Japanese yen hovered around 152 per dollar, recovering slightly after hitting an eight-month low. Despite minor strength, the yen remains pressured by expectations that the BOJ will maintain its ultra-loose monetary stance. Analysts anticipate no rate changes, particularly as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration leans toward expansive fiscal policies—a factor weighing further on the yen.
Elsewhere, Asian currencies showed muted movement ahead of the Trump-Xi meeting in South Korea. The Chinese yuan (USD/CNY) hovered around 7.1, while the Singapore dollar (USD/SGD) edged up 0.1%, and the South Korean won (USD/KRW) rose 0.2%. The Indian rupee (USD/INR) stayed slightly higher above 88.
The meeting between Trump and Xi is expected to ease trade tensions, with potential discussions on fentanyl tariffs, rare earths, and AI chip exports.
