Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Most Asian currencies traded in tight ranges on Friday, showing limited gains despite a weaker U.S. dollar, as market sentiment stayed cautious amid ongoing equity market sell-offs. The Chinese yuan slipped after data revealed the country’s exports contracted for the first time since March 2024, while its trade surplus narrowed unexpectedly, signaling continued economic headwinds.
The USD/CNY pair rose about 0.1% after October’s trade figures highlighted slowing export growth due to persistent trade frictions with the U.S., which eased only after a late-October agreement. Imports also rose at a slower pace, underlining weak domestic demand in China, the world’s second-largest economy.
Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar retreated from recent three-month highs following weak employment data. Reports from Challenger, Gray & Christmas showed U.S. job cuts surged to over 150,000 in October — the highest in 20 years — amplifying fears of a cooling labor market. Traders are now pricing in a 65.8% chance of a Federal Reserve rate cut in December, up from 59.8% a day earlier, according to CME FedWatch. The greenback’s weakness came as investors focused more on private labor data amid a delayed release of official figures due to a prolonged U.S. government shutdown.
In Japan, the yen weakened as disappointing wage and spending data dampened hopes for near-term interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan. The USD/JPY pair gained slightly on Friday but was still down 0.6% for the week.
Across the region, other Asian currencies traded mixed. The USD/SGD rose 0.1%, USD/TWD dipped 0.1%, while USD/KRW climbed 0.5% as foreign capital outflows hit South Korean equities. The AUD/USD slipped 0.1%, and the USD/INR held steady above 88 rupees.
