Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
The Japanese yen weakened to a two-month low against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday as investors focused on fiscal dove Sanae Takaichi’s expected cabinet lineup following her victory in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership race. Market watchers anticipate a more expansionary economic approach under Takaichi, pushing domestic bond yields higher and testing demand in the upcoming debt auction.
The yen slipped 0.2% to 150.59 per dollar, briefly touching 150.62 — its weakest level since August 1 — while falling to a record 176.35 per euro. Analysts say Japanese officials may soon intervene verbally to prevent further currency weakness as it breaches the psychologically critical 150 threshold. “It’s a very important level, psychologically and economically,” said Bart Wakabayashi, Tokyo Branch Manager at State Street. “The Bank of Japan and Ministry of Finance likely prefer a stronger yen, so comments may begin emerging soon.”
Takaichi, seen as the most dovish of five contenders to replace outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, is expected to prioritize fiscal stimulus. Her stance contrasts sharply with Ishiba’s hawkish policies, prompting speculation that government spending and debt issuance could rise. The yield on 30-year Japanese government bonds climbed to an all-time high amid expectations of broader fiscal measures.
Meanwhile, the euro struggled following the resignation of France’s new Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu and his cabinet, as European Central Bank officials signaled that rate cuts might be needed if inflation risks continue to fade. The dollar index inched up 0.05% to 98.17, with the euro steady at $1.1705.
U.S. markets remain on edge as the government shutdown delays key economic data, including last week’s jobs report. Traders now await comments from Federal Reserve officials and the release of September FOMC meeting minutes, with expectations of a 25-basis-point rate cut at the Fed’s October 28–29 meeting.
