U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
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 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
South Korea’s exports recorded their fastest growth in 14 months this September, propelled by soaring global demand for semiconductors amid the artificial intelligence boom. According to official trade data, exports rose 12.7% year-on-year to $65.95 billion, significantly outpacing market forecasts of a 7.2% increase and marking the strongest performance since July 2024.
The September jump followed a modest 1.2% rise in August and benefited from favorable calendar effects linked to the Chuseok holidays. Semiconductors led the surge, with shipments climbing 22% to an all-time high of $16.61 billion, underscoring South Korea’s critical role as a global chip supplier. Automobiles also performed strongly, with exports rising 17% on the back of hybrid and electric vehicle demand, despite headwinds from U.S. tariffs.
Regional trade patterns highlighted mixed results. Shipments to China inched up 0.5%, ending four consecutive months of decline, while exports to the European Union and ASEAN countries surged 19.3% and 17.8%, respectively. However, exports to the United States slipped 1.4% as tariffs weighed on competitiveness. Negotiations to formalize a July deal aimed at cutting U.S. tariffs on Korean imports from 25% to 15% have stalled, largely due to Seoul’s concerns over potential foreign exchange implications tied to South Korea’s planned $350 billion investment in the U.S.
Imports also rose sharply, increasing 8.2% to $56.40 billion, marking their biggest jump in 14 months after a 4.1% decline in August. As a result, South Korea posted a trade surplus of $9.56 billion in September, the largest since September 2018, widening from August’s $6.51 billion.
The strong export data reinforces South Korea’s role as a bellwether for global trade, particularly in technology sectors, with chips and clean energy vehicles continuing to drive momentum in a shifting global economy.
