Gold Price Hits Annual Low as Fed Rate Hike Bets and Sticky Inflation Weigh on Bullion 
Central Banks Eye Gold, Reduce Dollar Exposure as AI Adoption Accelerates: OMFIF Survey 
US Dollar Rises as Fed Rate Outlook Stays Hawkish, Euro Slips and Yen Near 40-Year Low 
US Stock Futures Steady as Investors Await Payrolls Data and Monitor Iran Tensions 
Chip Stocks Rally as Samsung and SK Hynix’s $1.3 Trillion Investment Plan Boosts AI Optimism 
Dollar Slips Ahead of Key U.S. Jobs Data as Fed Rate Outlook, ECB, and Iran Talks Shape Forex Markets 
India Manufacturing PMI Slows in June as Demand Weakens Despite Lower Cost Pressures 
Argentina Economy Shrinks 1.5% in April, Recovery Under Milei Loses Momentum 
RBA Minutes Signal Australia Central Bank Remains Ready to Raise Interest Rates if Inflation Persists 
Asian Stocks End Strong Quarter as Dollar Surges, Yen Hits 40-Year Low Ahead of US Jobs Data 
Yen Falls to 40-Year Low as Markets Watch Japan Intervention and U.S. Jobs Report 
Gold Prices Drop as Fed Rate Outlook and Iran Tensions Weigh on Market 
NATO Albania Summit Faces Uncertainty as Trump, Defense Spending Concerns Loom 
Greece’s Bad Loan Crisis Continues to Limit Credit Access Despite Economic Recovery 
Trump Urges Gasoline Retailers to Cut Prices to $2.50 Per Gallon, Warns of Legal Action 
Canada Grants C$7 Million to Greenland Molybdenum Mine to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply 
Core inflation in Tokyo remained steady at 2.5% in September, highlighting persistent price pressures in Japan’s capital and fueling speculation over the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) next policy move. The figure, which excludes volatile fresh food but includes fuel, matched August’s pace but came in below the market forecast of 2.8%. Despite the moderation, inflation continues to sit well above the BOJ’s 2% target.
The Tokyo core consumer price index (CPI) is closely watched as a leading indicator of nationwide inflation trends. Another index that strips out both fresh food and fuel, considered a more accurate gauge of underlying inflation, rose 2.5% year-on-year, slowing from 3.0% in August. Food inflation, excluding fresh items, also remained high at 6.9%, though slightly softer than August’s 7.4%.
The data arrives just weeks ahead of the BOJ’s policy meeting on October 29–30, when the board will release updated quarterly growth and inflation forecasts. These projections are expected to be pivotal in determining the central bank’s stance on future rate hikes.
Earlier this year, the BOJ ended its decade-long stimulus program and lifted short-term rates to 0.5% in January, its first rate increase in years. While core inflation has surpassed the 2% benchmark for more than three years, Governor Kazuo Ueda has repeatedly stressed the importance of ensuring that price growth is supported by rising wages and solid domestic demand before tightening further.
The BOJ left rates unchanged last week, but two board members dissented, calling for an immediate hike to 0.75%. Market expectations remain divided, with a Reuters poll showing most economists anticipate a 25-basis-point increase by year-end, though opinions differ on whether it will come in October or January.
With inflation proving sticky and price pressures broadening, investors and policymakers alike will be watching Tokyo’s trend closely as Japan edges toward a potential rate adjustment.
