Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
The yen regained its footing on Wednesday in early Asian trading as investors moved into traditional safe-haven assets following a multi-day global stock selloff. After touching a nine-month low against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday, the yen edged up 0.1%, trading around 155.49 per dollar. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index held steady near a one-week high at 99.594, supported by increased demand for U.S. Treasury bonds.
Global equity markets have faced heavy pressure this week, with the S&P 500 extending its losing streak to four sessions. Concerns over lofty valuations in AI-related stocks have weighed heavily on sentiment, and U.S. equity futures continued to slide during Asian hours on Wednesday. Market anxiety deepened after U.S. initial jobless claims data showed a notable rise in Americans receiving unemployment benefits from mid-September to mid-October.
Tony Sycamore, market analyst at IG in Sydney, noted that this was the first major data release from the Department of Labor since the U.S. government shutdown began on October 1, adding that the results were “not great.” He emphasized that the upcoming delayed release of September’s non-farm payrolls report would be a more critical gauge of economic momentum.
Investor expectations for Federal Reserve policy also shifted slightly. Fed funds futures are now pricing a 46.6% chance of a 25-basis-point rate cut at the December 10 meeting, up from 42.4% the previous day, according to CME’s FedWatch tool. However, divisions within the Fed remain, with officials split between prioritizing labor market support and managing inflation risks.
Political pressure added another layer of uncertainty. U.S. President Donald Trump renewed criticism of Fed Chair Jerome Powell, whose term ends in May. According to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trump is expected to review the final shortlist of candidates after Thanksgiving and may announce his pick before Christmas.
In currency markets, the Australian dollar slipped to $0.65085 as wage data showed steady third-quarter growth, while the New Zealand dollar dipped 0.2% to $0.5659. The euro traded near a one-week low at $1.1580, and the British pound was steady at $1.3148.
Japan continued to increase its holdings of U.S. Treasuries for the ninth consecutive month in September, maintaining its position as the largest foreign holder with $1.189 trillion—its highest level since August 2022.
