Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Asian markets saw a cautious rebound on Wednesday, buoyed by dovish remarks from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and strong U.S. bank earnings, though persistent U.S.-China trade tensions curbed broader risk appetite. Powell hinted that the Fed may be nearing the end of its balance sheet reduction and left the door open for further rate cuts, reinforcing market expectations of easing later this year. Traders are now pricing in around 48 basis points of cuts by December.
ANZ economist Tom Kenny noted that the Fed could announce the end of quantitative tightening as early as the October FOMC meeting, forecasting 25-basis-point cuts in both October and December. Investor sentiment was further supported by upbeat quarterly results from major U.S. banks and an improved global growth outlook from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan gained 0.45%, while Japan’s Nikkei rose 0.8% after a steep decline earlier in the week. U.S. futures also advanced modestly, with Nasdaq and S&P 500 up about 0.1% each.
However, optimism was tempered by escalating trade frictions. President Donald Trump said Washington might terminate certain trade ties with China, while both nations imposed new port fees on shipping companies. The trade conflict intensified after the U.S. introduced 100% tariffs on Chinese goods in response to Beijing’s expanded export restrictions on rare earth materials.
Meanwhile, European futures rose sharply after French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced a suspension of pension reforms until after the 2027 elections, easing investor worries. The euro edged higher to $1.1611, while the dollar weakened amid Fed rate-cut bets. Safe-haven assets like the yen and Swiss franc gained slightly.
Gold continued its record surge, rising 0.9% to $4,179.80 per ounce, while oil prices slipped marginally, with Brent at $62.33 a barrel and U.S. crude at $58.66.
