Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
The U.S. dollar held firm early Thursday after a sharp plunge to a 3-1/2-year low and swift rebound, as traders digested the Federal Reserve’s cautious outlook on interest rates. The Fed cut rates by 25 basis points on Wednesday as expected, signaling more gradual easing ahead.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell described the move as a “risk-management” step tied to labor market weakness, while stressing there is no need to rush rate cuts. The central bank’s dot plot pointed to another 50 basis points of cuts this year, but only one reduction in 2026, highlighting ongoing uncertainty about inflation risks.
The dollar index tumbled to 96.224, its weakest since February 2022, before bouncing back to 97.074, up 0.44% on the day. The euro was steady at $1.1818 after spiking to a 27-month high of $1.19185. Sterling traded flat at $1.3626, easing from Wednesday’s peak of $1.3726.
Markets now await the Bank of England’s decision later Thursday, with policymakers expected to hold rates at 4%. U.K. inflation rose 3.8% annually in August, matching forecasts and reducing the likelihood of near-term cuts.
Against the yen, the dollar slipped 0.08% to 146.815 after briefly falling to 145.495, its weakest since July. The Bank of Japan is expected to hold rates Friday, though markets assign 50% odds of a hike by year-end. Political focus remains on Japan’s October 4 leadership vote after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation.
Elsewhere, New Zealand’s dollar slid 0.49% to $0.5935 after GDP contracted more than expected, while the Australian dollar was steady at $0.6655 ahead of jobs data. The Canadian dollar held at C$1.3772 after the Bank of Canada cut rates to a three-year low, citing weak employment and easing inflation pressures.
