U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth 
Fed Meeting Sparks Division as Markets Brace for Possible Rate Cut 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
U.S. Stocks Rise as Cooler Inflation Boosts Hopes for Fed Rate Cut 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
China’s services sector expanded slightly faster in May, with the Caixin/S&P Global Services PMI rising to 51.1 from 50.7 in April, signaling continued growth. The uptick was supported by stronger domestic new orders, even as new export orders declined amid persistent uncertainty over U.S. tariffs.
The Caixin survey, which tracks smaller and export-driven firms, echoed official PMI data showing services activity at 50.2. Analysts, however, warn that external demand risks remain due to ongoing trade tensions with the U.S., despite a temporary 90-day pause on new tariffs.
While the services sector showed resilience, a drop in manufacturing output led the broader Caixin China General Composite PMI to fall to 49.6 from 51.1—its first contraction since December 2022. The divergence highlights continued pressure on China’s industrial base despite efforts to stimulate domestic demand.
Input costs rose at their fastest pace since October 2024, driven by higher wages and purchase prices, but output charges continued to decline, squeezing profit margins. Employment remained stable overall, with some firms cutting costs through layoffs while others expanded staff to meet demand.
The central bank has eased monetary policy and lowered deposit rate ceilings to encourage spending, but economists say the impact of earlier stimulus measures remains limited. Caixin economist Wang Zhe emphasized that boosting domestic demand depends on improving household incomes amid growing external risks.
Despite current challenges, sentiment in the services sector remains optimistic, with businesses expecting recovery as tariff-related headwinds ease. However, weak export demand and persistent cost pressures pose ongoing risks to sustained growth.
