Gold Prices Rise Above $4,000 as Inflation Data and Weaker Dollar Boost Demand 
Economic pessimism has set in – but there are reasons for Australians to be hopeful 
US Stock Futures Steady as Investors Await Payrolls Data and Monitor Iran Tensions 
South Korea’s KOSPI Plunges as Apple Price Hikes and OpenAI IPO Delay Shake AI Chip Stocks 
Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
Trump Questions Housing Bill as He Prioritizes SAVE America Act 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Gold Price Falls as Fed Rate Hike Fears and U.S.-Iran Tensions Weigh on Bullion 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Canada Grants C$7 Million to Greenland Molybdenum Mine to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply 
SpaceX Eyes Starlink Mobile Phone Service to Challenge Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile 
Asian Markets Rise on Tech Gains
Most Asian stocks climbed on Wednesday, buoyed by the tech sector's strong performance. Regional markets followed a positive lead from Wall Street, where technology stocks spurred overnight gains.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.7%, while the TOPIX index gained 0.1%. In Australia, the ASX 200 edged up 0.2%, and Indian futures hinted at a positive open after Tuesday's market recovery.
Chinese Markets Plunge Amid Stimulus Disappointment
Chinese stocks experienced sharp declines. The Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite indexes dropped over 4% from recent highs. Investors were disheartened by the lack of specifics on new stimulus measures, which dampened optimism following Tuesday’s brief rally after the Golden Week holiday.
Beijing’s announcement of monetary stimulus in late September, including proposed rate cuts and increased liquidity support, did little to reassure markets. Investors were also frustrated by the absence of targeted fiscal policies.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Falls, Tech Limits Losses
The Hang Seng index fell by 0.5%, continuing a 10% decline from the previous session. However, losses were cushioned by the tech sector, which showed some resilience.
Focus Shifts to Global Inflation and the Federal Reserve
As U.S. futures traded flat in Asian markets, attention shifted to upcoming Federal Reserve announcements and inflation data. Earlier bets on a slower pace of U.S. rate cuts had weighed on markets at the start of the week, but investors remain cautious, awaiting further economic cues.
