Market Overview
Dollar on Back Foot as Markets Cheer Prospects of US–China Tariff Truce
Optimism dominated Asian markets on Monday, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 surging to a fresh record high above the 50,000 mark. The risk-on tone carried through to U.S. futures, which pointed to another higher open as Wall Street looks set to continue its record-breaking run. In contrast, European markets lagged...
Risk-On Wave Sweeps Asia; Commodity FX Gains Ahead of Central Bank blitz
A powerful risk-on wave swept through Asian markets at the start of the week, propelling commodity currencies higher as equities across Japan and South Korea surged record while China jumped to decade highs. The mood reflected growing conviction that the U.S.–China trade conflict is entering a phase of lasting...
Global Risk Rally Reignites as US, UK, and Japan Hit All-Time Highs
Global markets resumed their risk-on momentum last week, buoyed by softer U.S. inflation data, easing political uncertainty, and renewed optimism over global trade. In the U.S., both DOW and S&P 500 climbed to fresh record highs after September CPI figures came in below expectations, cementing confidence that the Fed...
Dollar Slips as Softer Core Inflation Reinforces Bets on Two More Fed Cuts This Year
Dollar eased in early U.S. session after the latest inflation report came in slightly softer than expected, reinforcing expectations of continued monetary easing by the Fed. The pullback was modest, but sentiment turned more dovish as traders focused on the dip in core inflation, which may be seen as...
Markets Hold Breath Ahead of US CPI, US–China Talks in KL
Dollar traded steady in Asian session, with traders showing little appetite for new positions ahead of key inflation data. The September CPI report, due later in the day, is expected to show a 0.4% monthly increase in headline prices and a 0.3% gain in core CPI, which would push...
Geopolitics Back in Play as Oil Surges on Fresh Sanctions Against Russia
Oil prices surged today, emerging as the clear focus in otherwise subdued global markets, as geopolitical tensions flared again following a fresh wave of Western sanctions against Russia. The U.S. announced new measures targeting energy giants Rosneft and Lukoil, accusing Moscow of prolonging the conflict in Ukraine. The decision...
Dollar Strengthens, Risk Tone Softens Ahead of US-China Trade Talks
Risk sentiment turned slightly softer again, as Asian equities pulled back following Wall Street’s modest decline overnight. Investors took a more cautious stance after recent rallies, with profit-taking emerging ahead of key global data and fresh developments on the U.S.–China trade front. Nikkei 225 led the regional retreat, slipping...
Sterling Eases After CPI Miss, Overall Markets Quiet
The foreign exchange market traded quietly today, with investors reluctant to take fresh major positions. With risk sentiment mixed and volatility muted, most major pairs remained confined to familiar ranges
The British Pound was under mild pressure as traders raised their bets on another BoE rate cut later this year,...
Calm Returns to Markets, Loonie Holds Firm, Yen Stays Weak
The forex market turned noticeably quieter in Asian session today, with traders taking a breather after the risk-on rally seen earlier in the week. Most major pairs and crosses remain confined within last week’s ranges, reflecting a more balanced tone as global sentiment stabilizes. Canadian Dollar continues to hold...
Stronger Canada CPI Narrows Odds of Back-to-Back BoC Easing
Canadian Dollar climbed across the board as markets enter into U.S. session, leading major currencies higher after domestic inflation data came in hotter than expected. Combined with this month’s firm employment figures, the data have made the case for a rate cut at the October 29 meeting a close...
Asian Stocks Hit Records as Takaichi Win and Trade Deals Boost Confidence
Risk appetite swept across Asian markets today, lifting equities to fresh records as political clarity in Japan and trade optimism across the region buoyed investor confidence. Nikkei 225 surged to another all-time high after the Liberal Democratic Party’s Sanae Takaichi won 237 of 465 votes in the lower house,...
Markets Edge Higher as Shutdown Deal Hopes Lift Sentiment
Global markets traded with a mildly positive tone as investors entered the U.S. session on Monday, buoyed by some optimism that the prolonged government shutdown could end within days. U.S. top White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said on CNBC that a resolution was “likely to end sometime this...
Nikkei Hits Record as Takaichi Secures Coalition to Become Japan’s First Female PM
Asian equities advanced today, led by the sharp rally in Japan where Nikkei hit record highs after political uncertainty finally cleared. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party struck a coalition agreement with the Japan Innovation Party, ensuring LDP leader Sanae Takaichi will become Japan’s first female prime minister. Investors cheered...
Swiss Franc Rally Signals Deepening Market Unease
Global markets ended the week with an uneasy calm, masking what appears to be growing stress beneath the surface. Wall Street showed resilience — the major indexes finished higher after mid-week volatility sparked by renewed concerns over regional bank stability. Yet in Europe, sentiment was more fragile, as bank-led...
Wall Street Finds Footing After Bank Rout, but Conviction Still Lacking
As markets enter into U.S. session, sentiment showed signs of stabilization, as investors cautiously stepped back into equities after a sharp selloff in regional banks yesterday. Concerns over credit quality and loan losses had triggered a steep decline in financial stocks, but bargain-hunting helped bank shares rebound, lifting broader...
Safe Havens Surge as Market Nerves Deepen Ahead of Weekend
Safe-haven demand is dominating global markets as traders head into the final trading day of the week. Gold has surged past 4,300 mark to a new record high, putting it on track for its best weekly performance in five years, while the Swiss Franc is rallying sharply across the...
Sterling Supported by Symbolic GDP Growth, Franc Under Pressure
Sterling traded slightly firmer as one of the day’s top performers. The modest 0.1% mom GDP growth in August confirmed that the UK economy continues to grind forward. While small, the uptick carries symbolic weight, reinforcing the notion that Britain’s slowdown is stabilizing heading into the final quarter of...
Aussie Sinks on Jobs Miss as Traders Revive RBA November Cut Bets
Australian Dollar fell sharply after a soft labor market report reignited expectations that the RBA may resume rate cuts soon. September’s data showed unemployment rising to 4.5%, its highest since 2021. The figures surprised policymakers and traders alike, as the Bank’s latest projections did not even envision unemployment climbing...
Markets Calm as U.S.–China Trade Tensions Simmer, France’s Political Reprieve Lifts Sentiment
Global markets traded with a steady and cautious tone today, as investors balanced persistent U.S.–China trade tensions with signs of easing political risk in Europe.
Despite the looming November 1 deadline for Washington’s threatened 100% tariffs on Chinese imports, traders appeared hopeful for de-escalation, judging that both sides have incentives...
Volatility Persists as U.S.–China Relations Teeter Between Calm and Conflict
Global markets are caught in a cycle of indecision, with volatility staying elevated and sentiment shifting almost daily. The strained U.S.–China relationship continues to drive market mood, alternating between brief moments of optimism and renewed hostility. Any headline—positive or negative—can swing risk appetite sharply, leaving most major currencies stuck...