US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Asian stocks extended their sharp declines on Friday as investors reacted to U.S. labor data that offered little clarity on the Federal Reserve’s next move on interest rates. Despite initially positive sentiment driven by Nvidia’s strong earnings, the rally quickly faded and risk-off sentiment returned across global markets.
Japan’s Nikkei index slid 2%, Australia’s resource-heavy shares dropped 1.4%, and South Korea’s market plunged nearly 4% as traders reassessed expectations for U.S. monetary policy. The renewed volatility followed a turbulent session on Wall Street, where concerns over stretched tech valuations resurfaced. The Nasdaq posted its widest intraday swing since April 9, a period marked by heightened uncertainty after President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs rattled investors.
U.S. payrolls data showed stronger-than-expected job creation in September, yet the uptick in the unemployment rate and downward revisions from previous months fueled uncertainty about the underlying health of the labor market. Traders slightly increased their bets on a December rate cut—now seen at a 40% probability—but the mixed data failed to offer the definitive signal markets were hoping for.
Analysts note that despite upbeat earnings and relatively solid job numbers, market momentum remains weak. Capital.com’s senior analyst Kyle Rodda said that even with positive catalysts, sentiment has not shifted enough to overcome prevailing bearishness.
Federal Reserve officials have also expressed growing anxiety over financial stability risks, including the potential for sharp drops in asset prices should policy easing resume too quickly. Comments from Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack and Fed Governor Lisa Cook highlighted concerns about the broader implications of cutting rates too soon.
In currency markets, the U.S. dollar strengthened against commodity-linked currencies and held firm near a 10-month peak against the yen. Japan’s 3% core inflation growth kept rate-hike expectations alive, though anticipated stimulus from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s new government—expected to exceed 20 trillion yen—has kept downward pressure on the yen.
Treasury yields eased as investors positioned for possible Fed action next month, while oil prices retreated and gold remained stable.
