Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
The U.S. dollar slipped on Wednesday following private-sector employment data that signaled growing weakness in the labor market, reinforcing expectations of an upcoming Federal Reserve rate cut. According to payroll processor ADP, U.S. companies shed more than 11,000 jobs per week through late October, reflecting a steady slowdown in hiring.
The data prompted traders to increase bets on a December rate cut, with the CME FedWatch Tool showing a 68% probability of a 25-basis-point easing, up from 62% the previous day. The dollar index hovered near a one-week low at 99.46, while the euro held steady at $1.1586 and the British pound edged higher to $1.3149, distancing itself from recent lows.
Treasury yields also declined, with the 10-year yield dipping 3 basis points to 4.0791% and the two-year yield easing to 3.5596%. ANZ’s head of G3 economics, Brian Martin, noted that the balance of risks around inflation and employment supports a rate cut next month.
Currency strategist Sim Moh Siong of the Bank of Singapore said alternative data indicates a gradually cooling labor market, though not a sharp deterioration. Market sentiment now hinges on the expected U.S. government reopening, which could unlock delayed economic data by next week.
The potential resolution of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, with a key House vote expected Wednesday, has lifted risk appetite globally. The Australian and New Zealand dollars rose slightly to $0.6529 and $0.5656, respectively.
Meanwhile, the yen weakened to 154.08 per dollar, pressured by risk-on sentiment and Japan’s plans for looser fiscal policy. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi signaled extended fiscal flexibility and urged the Bank of Japan to be cautious with rate hikes, contrasting the Fed’s more hawkish stance.
