Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Asian shares fell on Friday after the U.S. imposed steep tariffs on dozens of trading partners, heightening market uncertainty ahead of crucial U.S. jobs data that could determine the Federal Reserve’s next interest rate move.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order late Thursday implementing tariffs of 10% to 41% on imports from multiple countries. India faces 25%, Taiwan 20%, Thailand 19%, and South Korea 15%. Tariffs on Canadian goods rose to 35% from 25% for items not covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade pact, while Mexico received a 90-day exemption to negotiate a broader deal. Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te described the tariffs as temporary and expected reductions once agreements are reached.
MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index outside Japan dropped 0.7%, extending weekly losses to 1.8%. South Korea’s KOSPI plunged 3%, Taiwan’s benchmark slipped 0.9%, Japan’s Nikkei declined 0.4%, while China’s blue chips were flat and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng edged up 0.2%.
European and U.S. futures also weakened, with EUROSTOXX 50, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 futures down 0.2%. Wall Street retreated overnight after Amazon reported disappointing earnings, sinking 6.6% after hours, while Apple gained 2.4% on stronger-than-expected revenue guidance.
Investors are closely watching July’s U.S. nonfarm payrolls, expected to rise by 110,000, with unemployment seen at 4.2%. A stronger-than-expected report could reduce chances of a September Fed rate cut, now priced at 39%, down from 65% earlier this week.
The dollar index climbed 2.5% this week to a two-month high of 100.1, while the yen weakened to 150.7 per dollar. U.S. Treasury yields held steady, oil prices hovered near $70, and gold traded around $3,286 an ounce.
