U.S. Stocks Rise as Cooler Inflation Boosts Hopes for Fed Rate Cut 
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth 
Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Fed Meeting Sparks Division as Markets Brace for Possible Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
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 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
The U.S. dollar hovered in muted trading Thursday after weak economic data revived fears of stagflation, raising expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts. The greenback struggled after U.S. services sector activity unexpectedly contracted in May, while labor market data pointed to cooling job growth. These developments boosted Treasury demand, with the 10-year yield falling to 4.363%, near a four-week low.
Markets are now eyeing Friday’s U.S. non-farm payrolls report, expected to show a modest gain of 130,000 jobs. A weak report could accelerate the dollar’s decline. Currently, traders have priced in 56 basis points of Fed cuts for 2025, with a 95% chance of easing in September, according to LSEG data. President Trump also renewed pressure on the Fed to lower rates, unsettling investor confidence in the central bank’s independence.
In currency markets, the dollar edged up to 143 yen. The euro traded at $1.1412, near a recent six-week high, while the British pound held at $1.3544. The dollar index stood at 98.87, down roughly 9% year-to-date—its worst annual performance since 2017.
Investors remain cautious due to uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy. Markets await updates on the upcoming call between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping amid escalating tariff tensions.
Meanwhile, the European Central Bank is widely expected to cut interest rates by 25 basis points on Thursday, marking its eighth cut in 13 months. Investors are watching closely for signals on whether further easing will follow as inflation slows and recession risks fade.
The Australian dollar held at $0.6491 despite soft GDP figures, while the New Zealand dollar hovered at $0.603, near a seven-month peak. Overall, forex markets remain cautious, awaiting key economic cues and central bank moves.
