BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
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 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Global stocks rose on Friday, heading for a weekly gain as Wall Street optimism lifted sentiment after key central bank moves. The Federal Reserve cut U.S. interest rates by 0.25%, its first reduction since December. Norway and Canada also lowered rates, fueling investor hopes of looser monetary policy worldwide.
In the U.S., all three major indexes set record highs for a second straight session. The Dow Jones gained 0.37% to 46,315.27, the S&P 500 advanced 0.49% to 6,664.36, and the Nasdaq rose 0.72% to 22,631.48. However, European markets dipped 0.16%, while Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.57% after the Bank of Japan announced plans to sell risky assets. Still, MSCI’s global index hit a record 982.29, up nearly 1% for the week.
Analysts said the Fed’s cautious stance left investors balancing optimism with disappointment. While rate cuts support stocks, the Fed emphasized a data-dependent approach, tempering expectations for an aggressive easing cycle. Treasury yields rose slightly, with the 10-year at 4.129% and the 2-year at 3.574%.
Geopolitical developments also shaped sentiment. U.S. President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping held their first call in months, making progress on a TikTok deal and scheduling a meeting in South Korea. Meanwhile, a U.S. Senate vote failed to advance a spending bill, raising the risk of a government shutdown on October 1.
The dollar strengthened for a third straight day, rising 0.33% to 97.67, with gains against the Swiss franc but losses versus the yen. The euro slipped to $1.1745, and the pound dropped to $1.3467 after the Bank of England slowed bond sales.
Commodities were mixed: Brent crude fell 1.1% to $66.68, WTI slid 1.4% to $62.68, while gold gained 1.04% to $3,681.79, marking its fifth straight weekly rise.
