Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
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.
