European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
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 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Asian stocks traded mixed on Friday, weighed down by renewed concerns over U.S. trade tensions following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a steep 35% tariff on Canadian imports. This followed earlier tariffs on South Korea and Japan, raising fears of a broader trade conflict.
Despite strong overnight gains on Wall Street, regional markets largely failed to follow suit, with S&P 500 futures slipping 0.4% in Asian trading. Investors turned cautious as the outlook for global trade darkened.
However, Chinese and Hong Kong stocks bucked the trend. The Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite gained 0.7% and 0.6%, respectively, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index jumped 1.6%. Optimism was fueled by expectations of additional Chinese stimulus, especially after soft inflation data earlier in the week. Sectors like consumer goods and industrials led the gains.
Investor sentiment in Hong Kong also received a boost from Goldman Sachs, which upgraded its rating on the market to Market-Weight, anticipating easing monetary policy and milder U.S. tariffs. WuXi AppTec shares surged 10.5% after projecting strong first-half earnings, becoming the top performer on the Hang Seng.
Tech stocks in the region mirrored Wall Street’s positive momentum, particularly after Nvidia surpassed a $4 trillion valuation. Continued optimism around artificial intelligence supported gains across Asian tech sectors. South Korea’s KOSPI posted a weekly gain of over 4%, though it edged slightly lower on Friday.
Elsewhere, markets retreated. Japan’s Nikkei 225 and TOPIX slipped up to 0.3%, Australia’s ASX 200 dropped 1.5%, and India’s Gift Nifty 50 Futures fell 0.2%, pointing to a weak open. Traders remain hopeful for a potential U.S.-India trade agreement following Trump’s recent comments.
