Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
U.S. Stocks Rise as Cooler Inflation Boosts Hopes for Fed Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Fed Meeting Sparks Division as Markets Brace for Possible Rate Cut 
Asian markets extended Wall Street gains on Wednesday, fueled by upbeat U.S. economic signals and optimism ahead of Nvidia’s earnings report. Investors welcomed easing trade tensions between the U.S. and Europe and a stabilization in global bond markets after a recent spike in yields.
Stronger-than-expected U.S. consumer confidence and hopes of strong tech earnings boosted investor sentiment. Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), which surged over 4% on Tuesday, is set to report its Q1 results after U.S. markets close. Analysts expect a 66.2% year-on-year revenue jump to $43.28 billion, according to LSEG. Pepperstone’s Chris Weston said there’s growing belief Nvidia will outperform estimates, which could trigger a further rally.
The MSCI Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan rose 0.3%, while Japan’s Nikkei climbed 0.6%, marking its fourth consecutive session of gains. Australian shares edged up 0.17%, though the Australian dollar slipped 0.2% after hotter-than-expected April inflation data. Meanwhile, the New Zealand dollar dropped 0.3% following the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s rate cut.
The dollar index rose 0.1%, adding to Tuesday’s 0.6% gain, as the greenback firmed against major currencies, including the euro, which fell to $1.132.
Japanese government bonds eased slightly ahead of a key 40-year auction amid speculation the Ministry of Finance might cut long-term bond issuance.
Oil prices rose after the U.S. barred Chevron (NYSE: CVX) from exporting crude from Venezuela, heightening supply concerns. Brent crude futures gained 0.4% to $64.37 a barrel. Spot gold inched up 0.1%, rebounding slightly after a 1% drop the previous day.
Overall, global market sentiment remained cautiously optimistic as investors await Nvidia's earnings and key U.S. labor data later in the week.
