BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
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 Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
The U.S. dollar held firm on Thursday, poised for its strongest weekly performance in nearly a year, bolstered by a weakening yen and growing global political uncertainty. Market sentiment has been rattled by leadership shifts in Japan, political turmoil in France, and an ongoing U.S. government shutdown, prompting investors to seek refuge in safe-haven assets like gold.
The Japanese yen faced intense pressure after conservative leader Sanae Takaichi was appointed head of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party, paving the way for her to become the country’s first female prime minister. Expectations of continued fiscal stimulus and loose monetary policy have fueled the yen’s decline. The currency was last seen at 152.49 per dollar, recovering slightly from an eight-month low of 153. It remains down over 3% for the week, marking its worst performance since September 2024.
“The dollar/yen rally has been relentless,” noted Carol Kong, currency strategist at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. “If Takaichi maintains her dovish stance and the BOJ signals no near-term rate hikes, the yen could weaken further after the October policy meeting.”
In Europe, the euro traded modestly higher at $1.1639, halting a three-day losing streak but still down 0.9% for the week amid France’s political crisis. President Emmanuel Macron is expected to name a new prime minister within days following Sebastien Lecornu’s resignation.
Elsewhere, sterling edged up to $1.3413, and the Australian dollar rose to $0.6594, while the New Zealand dollar gained 0.1% to $0.5792 after a sharp fall triggered by a surprise 50 basis point rate cut by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
The Federal Reserve’s September meeting minutes revealed officials’ growing concern over labor market risks but ongoing caution about inflation. Despite the uncertainty, investors continue to expect around 44 basis points of rate cuts by December, keeping the dollar index steady at 98.77.
