Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
South Korea Posts Stronger-Than-Expected 1.3% Economic Growth in Q3 
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 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
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 Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Japan’s Service Sector Sustains Growth Momentum in November 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Japan’s Nikkei 225 slid on Friday, erasing its gains for the week and diverging from mostly positive Asian markets as investors turned cautious ahead of a crucial U.S. inflation reading that could influence the Federal Reserve’s next move. European markets pointed to a muted open, with EURO STOXX 50 and FTSE futures largely unchanged, while Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures posted modest gains.
The Nikkei fell 1.3% after weaker household spending data underscored persistent inflation pressures and fueled expectations of a Bank of Japan rate hike later this month. The index was poised to finish the week flat. Japan’s 10-year government bond yield briefly touched 1.94%—its highest level since 2007—before easing to 1.93%. The benchmark yield was on track for its sharpest weekly rise since March, though solid auction demand signaled that cheaper bond prices continue to attract buyers. Market strategist Nigel Green noted that capital flows are shifting and long-held assumptions about the yen are being challenged as Japan edges toward policy normalization.
Investors now see a 75% probability of a quarter-point BoJ rate hike, supported by comments from Governor Kazuo Ueda, who said the central bank would evaluate the “pros and cons” of tightening. Reuters sources also indicated government tolerance for a December hike. The yen strengthened, pushing the dollar down 0.3% to 154.61.
Across Asia, the MSCI Asia-Pacific index outside Japan rose 0.4% and was on pace for a 1% weekly gain, buoyed by a 1.4% climb in South Korean equities.
The U.S. dollar extended its recent weakness, pressured by expectations of a Fed rate cut next week. Markets are pricing a 90% chance of a quarter-point reduction despite deep divisions among policymakers. Investors now await the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge—the PCE price index—with forecasts pointing to a 0.2% rise in core inflation.
Treasury yields edged lower after Thursday’s increase, while oil prices dipped and gold ticked higher, though both were set for mixed weekly performance.
