Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
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 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
The U.S. dollar regained strength in early Asian trading on Thursday after the Supreme Court announced it would hear arguments in January regarding former President Donald Trump’s attempt to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. With Cook remaining in her position for now, market fears over the Fed’s independence have temporarily subsided. Analysts noted that this reduces short-term political risk for the central bank, allowing traders to shift focus back to economic data and the ongoing U.S. government shutdown.
The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of major currencies, rose 0.1% to 97.80, rebounding after four consecutive days of losses. Market watchers highlighted that the prolonged government shutdown has disrupted the release of key federal economic data, creating a “void” until at least October 13. This gap has left investors relying on private data such as ADP’s payroll report, which showed U.S. private sector jobs unexpectedly fell by 32,000 in September following a revised 3,000 decline in August.
The shutdown has intensified political divisions, with the Trump administration freezing $26 billion earmarked for Democratic-leaning states. Betting markets such as Polymarket suggest the standoff could last one to two weeks, though odds of a longer shutdown remain significant.
Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut interest rates at its October meeting, with futures pricing in a near-certain 25 basis point reduction. Manufacturing activity showed modest improvement last month, but weak new orders and hiring reflect continued pressure from tariffs and policy uncertainty.
In commodities, gold eased 0.2% to $3,857.09 per ounce after recent record highs. The dollar climbed to 147.305 yen and 7.13 offshore yuan, while the euro slipped to $1.1725. Sterling traded steadily at $1.3474, and the Australian and New Zealand dollars saw limited movement in early Asia.
This combination of political risk, central bank speculation, and economic uncertainty ensures that currency markets remain volatile as traders await clarity from Washington and the Fed.
