Oil Prices Hold Near Two-Week Highs as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut and Monitor Geopolitical Risks 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Japan’s Q3 Economic Contraction Deepens as Revised Data Signals Stronger Headwinds 
UK Job Market Shows Persistent Weakness Ahead of November Budget 
Austria’s AA Credit Rating Affirmed as Fitch Highlights Stable Outlook 
Russia Stocks Close Flat as MOEX Hits 1-Month High 
Asian Markets Slip as Investors Brace for Fed Rate Cut and Global Policy Decisions 
ECB Signals Steady Rates Ahead as Policymakers Warn of Inflation Risks 
U.S. Economic Outlook 2026: Growth Seen Strengthening as Fiscal Support Ramps Up 
Wall Street Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Decision; Nvidia Gains on China Chip Sales Approval 
U.S. Defense Bill Sets Record $901 Billion Budget, Includes Ukraine Aid 
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth 
U.S. Stocks Rise as Cooler Inflation Boosts Hopes for Fed Rate Cut 
Gold Prices Inch Higher as Fed Rate-Cut Expectations Strengthen 
Canada Stocks Steady as Markets Await Fed and BoC Decisions 
RBA Holds Rates but Warns of Rising Inflation Pressures 
The Australian dollar edged higher after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) kept interest rates unchanged, reinforcing expectations that inflation pressures may persist. The currency rose 0.2% to $0.6639 after the central bank held rates at 3.6% for a third straight month. According to analysts, the RBA’s tone aligned with market expectations, signaling a slightly more hawkish stance. Bank of Singapore strategist Sim Moh Siong noted that the central bank “didn’t try to tamp down hawkish market expectations,” supporting the AUD’s upward momentum. Gains continued after RBA Governor Michele Bullock emphasized that further rate cuts were unnecessary at this time.
In Asia, the Japanese yen strengthened as markets reacted to a 7.5-magnitude earthquake that struck northeast Japan, prompting temporary evacuation orders and tsunami alerts. The yen rose 0.1% against the U.S. dollar to 155.82, as investors sought safe-haven assets amid rising risk aversion ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy meeting. Analysts said the quake revived concerns about potential supply-chain disruptions and industrial impacts, contributing to a broader risk-off sentiment.
Global markets are now focused on the Federal Reserve, widely expected to cut rates this week. Fed funds futures indicate an 89% chance of a 25-basis-point reduction. However, uncertainty remains about future policy direction, especially with Kevin Hassett emerging as a top candidate to replace Jerome Powell when his term ends in May. Bond markets reflected this caution, with the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield steady at 4.1702% after recent gains.
The euro traded slightly higher at $1.1645 following comments from an ECB official suggesting the next policy move could be a rate hike. The offshore Chinese yuan also firmed to 7.0684 per dollar, while the British pound gained to $1.3328 and the New Zealand dollar rose to $0.5786. In contrast, cryptocurrencies declined, with bitcoin falling 1.5% to $89,946.76 and ether dropping 1.6% to $3,097.81.
