U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
ECB’s Cipollone Backs Digital Euro as Europe Pushes for Payment System Independence 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Fed Confirms Rate Meeting Schedule Despite Severe Winter Storm in Washington D.C. 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Bank of Canada Holds Interest Rate at 2.25% Amid Trade and Global Uncertainty 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Bank of Japan Signals Cautious Path Toward Further Rate Hikes Amid Yen Weakness 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
China has kept its benchmark lending rates unchanged for the fourth consecutive month in September, reflecting a cautious approach to monetary easing despite mixed economic signals. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) maintained the one-year Loan Prime Rate (LPR) at 3.0% and the five-year LPR at 3.5%, aligning with market expectations.
The decision follows the central bank’s move last week to keep the seven-day reverse repo rate — now its key policy rate — steady. A Reuters survey of 20 market participants indicated unanimous predictions that Beijing would hold rates unchanged, even after recent weak economic data.
August figures showed factory output and retail sales growing at their slowest pace in over a year, underscoring domestic economic challenges. However, resilient exports, easing U.S.-China trade tensions, and a stock market rally have reduced pressure on Beijing to accelerate monetary easing. The Shanghai Composite Index remains near decade-high levels, supported by investor optimism.
Geopolitical developments are also shaping expectations. U.S. President Donald Trump announced progress on a TikTok deal with President Xi Jinping, with plans for a face-to-face meeting in South Korea in six weeks to discuss trade, illicit drug issues, and global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine.
Analysts suggest more policy easing could still be on the horizon. Barclays forecasts a 10-basis-point policy rate and LPR cut, along with a 50-basis-point reduction in banks’ reserve requirement ratio (RRR) in Q4 if growth pressures persist. Societe Generale echoed similar views, pointing to the upcoming fourth plenum in October as a key policy event where China will review its 15th Five-Year Plan.
While Beijing has signaled restraint, economists remain watchful for further easing measures to stabilize growth in the months ahead.
