RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Asian stocks retreated on Friday, mirroring Wall Street losses, as growing concerns over U.S. regional banks fueled risk aversion. Bonds surged while gold prices hit a new record high amid heightened market volatility.
Shares of Zions Bancorporation plunged 13% after revealing a $50 million loss tied to loans from its California division. Western Alliance fell 11% following its lawsuit against Cantor Group V, LLC, alleging fraud. Analysts warned that despite containment, these incidents echo the vulnerabilities seen during the 2023 banking crisis. Tony Sycamore of IG noted that “where there is smoke, there is often fire,” signaling potential for renewed financial strain.
The turmoil sent investors rushing to safe-haven assets. The U.S. dollar weakened against major currencies, with the yen and Swiss franc both strengthening. U.S. Treasury yields fell sharply, with two-year yields dipping to 3.404%, a three-year low, as traders priced in expectations for at least two more Federal Reserve rate cuts this year. Gold touched a record $4,378 per ounce before flattening, still on track for a 7.6% weekly gain—its strongest since early 2020. Silver also climbed to a new high.
Global equity sentiment further deteriorated amid escalating U.S.-China trade tensions after Beijing rebuffed Washington’s criticism of its rare earth export curbs. MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index dropped 0.9%, Japan’s Nikkei fell 1%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slid 1.4%. Taiwan’s market dipped despite TSMC’s upbeat AI-driven outlook.
Meanwhile, oil prices extended declines, with U.S. crude down 0.7% to $57.04 and Brent slipping to $60.63, following news of a planned Trump-Putin meeting in Hungary to discuss ending the Ukraine war.
