Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
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 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
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 
The U.S. dollar weakened early Wednesday after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s comments strengthened market expectations of an interest rate cut later this month. Powell signaled that the Fed remains open to easing policy at its October 28–29 meeting, citing a sluggish labor market and the ongoing government shutdown, which has limited official economic data but not hindered the Fed’s assessment of the outlook.
Following Powell’s remarks, the dollar index — which measures the greenback against six major currencies including the yen, euro, and Swiss franc — steadied at 99.055 after a 0.2% dip on Tuesday. The greenback held at 151.80 yen after slipping 0.3% in the prior session, while it traded flat at 0.8013 Swiss franc following a similar decline overnight. The euro also maintained its gains, holding at $1.1606 after advancing 0.3% the day before, supported by the French government’s proposal to pause contentious pension reforms.
Markets now anticipate a quarter-point rate cut this month and another in December, with several more reductions expected next year, according to LSEG data.
On the geopolitical front, the U.S. and China reignited trade tensions with reciprocal fees on shipping companies, escalating fears of further economic disruption. President Donald Trump hinted at potentially cutting certain trade ties with Beijing, raising investor anxiety and boosting safe-haven demand.
Joseph Capurso, head of foreign exchange at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, warned that U.S.-China tensions could intensify further, putting pressure on risk-sensitive currencies like the Australian dollar. The Aussie edged up 0.1% to $0.6491 after touching a three-week low on Tuesday, while the New Zealand dollar eased 0.1% to $0.5706, extending a six-month low.
