Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
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 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian markets opened weaker on Wednesday after Wall Street losses, with investors digesting cautious remarks from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on interest rates. The MSCI Asia-Pacific index outside Japan fell 0.2% early, following the S&P 500’s 0.6% drop—its largest one-day loss in three weeks. Japan’s Nikkei declined 0.4%, while Australian shares slid 0.7% ahead of key CPI data. U.S. futures remained flat.
The U.S. dollar stabilized after back-to-back declines, with the dollar index up 0.1% at 97.301. Against the yen, the greenback slipped 0.1% to 147.575. Analysts at Westpac noted Powell’s remarks stressed “upside risks to inflation and downside risks to employment,” underlining the Fed’s delicate balancing act.
Despite the pullback, Asian equities are still on track for their strongest month in a year, buoyed by regional tech strength, a softer U.S. dollar, and renewed expectations of Fed rate cuts. Fed funds futures now imply a 93% chance of an October cut, up from 89.8% the day before. U.S. Treasuries attracted buyers, pushing 10-year yields down to 4.1061%, while the 2-year yield eased to 3.5673%.
On the macro front, weaker U.S. PMI data from S&P Global highlighted slowing business activity for a second straight month, raising growth concerns. Citi analysts flagged underlying weakness, pointing to firms struggling to pass on higher costs due to subdued demand and competition.
In commodities, Brent crude rose 0.3% to $67.86 per barrel as delays in Iraqi Kurdistan oil exports eased oversupply fears. Meanwhile, spot gold dipped 0.1% to $3,760.90 per ounce after hitting a record high the previous day.
Global investors remain cautious, balancing Fed signals, soft U.S. data, and commodity price swings as markets await further economic cues.
