Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
U.S. stock futures edged higher on Monday, lifted by optimism over easing trade tensions between Washington and Beijing and anticipation of key corporate earnings. As of 03:28 ET (07:28 GMT), Dow futures were up 0.4%, S&P 500 futures gained 0.5%, and Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 0.6%.
President Donald Trump signaled a potential thaw in U.S.-China relations, acknowledging that the proposed triple-digit tariffs on Chinese goods were “not sustainable.” He confirmed an upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng are expected to hold trade talks this week. Still, Trump maintained a hardline stance on other nations, including India and Colombia, over trade and policy disputes.
Investors are also bracing for major earnings reports from Tesla and Netflix, alongside a delayed U.S. inflation report due to a government shutdown.
Meanwhile, Apple’s iPhone 17 series recorded a strong debut, outperforming last year’s iPhone 16 by 14% in its first 10 days in the U.S. and China, according to Counterpoint Research. The base model drove much of the demand, particularly in China, where sales nearly doubled year-over-year. In the U.S., the iPhone 17 Pro Max emerged as the top performer, boosted by higher carrier subsidies and strong demand in the ultra-premium segment.
In corporate news, Kering announced a €4 billion deal to sell its House of Creed perfume unit and license fragrance rights for brands like Gucci and Balenciaga to L’Oreal. The 50-year agreement includes a joint venture focused on luxury, wellness, and longevity.
Additionally, China’s GDP grew 4.8% year-on-year in Q3 2025, its slowest pace in a year, while gold prices steadied near record highs amid easing U.S.-China trade tensions.
