IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
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 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
European stocks opened higher on Monday, buoyed by strong gains across Asian markets and optimism ahead of a busy corporate earnings week. At 07:10 GMT, Germany’s DAX jumped 1%, France’s CAC 40 added 0.5%, and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 rose 0.4%. The positive tone follows last week’s sharp declines, when concerns over the U.S. banking sector weighed on investor sentiment. However, a rebound in U.S. regional bank shares on Friday helped restore confidence.
Asian markets provided a significant boost, led by Japan’s Nikkei 225, which surged more than 3% to a record high above 49,000 points. The rally came after reports that Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party secured enough support to form a coalition government under Sanae Takaichi, who is expected to become the country’s first female prime minister. Known for her dovish fiscal stance, Takaichi is likely to prioritize government spending and resist further Bank of Japan rate hikes, with a parliamentary vote set for Tuesday.
Meanwhile, China’s economy grew 4.8% year-on-year in Q3 2025, slightly above forecasts of 4.7% but slower than the previous quarter’s 5.2% growth. The data reflects ongoing challenges from weak domestic demand, disinflation, and trade tensions with the U.S. In Europe, Germany’s producer prices fell 0.1% in September, marking a 1.7% annual decline, signaling subdued inflation pressures in the eurozone’s largest economy.
In corporate developments, luxury group Kering gained attention after announcing the €4 billion sale of its beauty division to L’Oreal, a move aimed at reducing debt and focusing on core fashion operations. Investors are also eyeing a packed week of earnings, with reports due from L’Oreal, SAP, Barclays, Heineken, Kering, Roche, Unilever, and Lloyds. On Wall Street, major companies including Tesla, Netflix, IBM, and Coca-Cola will also release results.
Oil prices edged lower amid concerns over global demand and a potential supply glut, with Brent crude falling 0.8% to $60.83 a barrel and WTI down 0.8% to $56.72. Both benchmarks have now logged three straight weeks of declines.
