Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
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 Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Asian shares surged on Friday, buoyed by upbeat U.S. earnings, easing trade tensions between Washington and Beijing, and renewed optimism for global growth. Japan’s Nikkei led regional gains, jumping 1.2%, while MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan climbed 0.5%. Investor sentiment strengthened after the White House confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping next week during his Asia tour, raising hopes of progress in trade talks ahead of a looming tariff deadline.
Intel’s quarterly results exceeded market expectations, further boosting confidence in the U.S. corporate earnings outlook. Following the announcement, Intel shares surged in after-hours trading, adding momentum to Wall Street futures, with the S&P 500 e-minis up 0.12%.
Currency markets reflected modest movements, with the U.S. dollar index gaining 0.1% to 99.00, while the euro slipped to $1.161 and the yen weakened to 152.85 per dollar. Investors now await key U.S. consumer price data due Friday, which could influence the Federal Reserve’s next policy decision. Despite the ongoing government shutdown—now in its 23rd day—the Bureau of Labor Statistics confirmed it would release the CPI report to assist in cost-of-living adjustments.
In Asia, Japan’s core consumer inflation rose 2.9% in September, reinforcing expectations that the Bank of Japan may consider tightening policy soon. Newly appointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is also expected to unveil a stimulus plan to bolster the economy.
Oil prices eased after strong weekly gains, with U.S. crude down 0.7% to $61.38 a barrel and Brent at $65.55, following fresh U.S. sanctions on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil. Meanwhile, bitcoin gained 0.8% to $110,512, and gold edged up 0.3% to $4,138 per ounce, despite heading for its weakest week since May.
