China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
The Nasdaq Composite closed at a record high Friday, boosted by Microsoft and Tesla as Wall Street awaited the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting next week. Investors widely expect the Fed to cut interest rates by 25 basis points to counter a cooling labor market and easing inflation.
Microsoft gained 1.8% after avoiding a hefty EU antitrust fine by offering reduced prices for Office without Teams. Tesla surged 7.4% after board chair Robyn Denholm dismissed concerns that CEO Elon Musk’s political activity hurt sales, emphasizing Musk’s active role at the company. Despite the rebound, Tesla shares remain down 2% in 2025.
The Nasdaq rose 0.45% to 22,141.10, while the S&P 500 slipped 0.05% to 6,584.29. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.59% to 45,834.22. Declines in Goldman Sachs and Sherwin-Williams weighed on the Dow, while healthcare and materials led losses across seven of 11 S&P sectors.
The University of Michigan’s survey showed U.S. consumer sentiment dropped for a second month in September, reflecting concerns about inflation, jobs, and business conditions. Futures markets now anticipate total rate cuts of 75 basis points by year-end.
For the week, the S&P 500 rose 1.6%, the Dow gained nearly 1%, and the Nasdaq advanced 2%, supported by a resurgence in artificial intelligence stocks after Oracle’s upbeat forecast. Warner Bros Discovery jumped 17% following reports of a potential takeover bid from Paramount Skydance.
Vaccine makers struggled, with Moderna dropping 7.4% and Pfizer and Novavax losing over 3% after reports linked COVID-19 vaccines to child fatalities.
Overall, declining S&P 500 stocks outnumbered advancers 3.3 to 1. The index posted 22 new highs versus 3 new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 106 new highs and 43 new lows.
