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Asia Market Wrap - Asian Shares Cautious

Asian stock markets showed mixed results on Tuesday, ultimately struggling to gain ground as optimism about potential US-China trade talks was offset by doubts about whether the two nations could reach a lasting agreement.

Initially, broader Asian indexes saw some gains, but those quickly faded to trade flat. A new front in the trade war opened as the US and China began imposing port fees on shipping firms.

Consequently, markets like Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index dropped 0.4%, and mainland Chinese blue-chip stocks slipped 0.1%.

However, some markets were boosted by company-specific news. Taiwan's market jumped 0.8% after a record performance by chipmaker TSMC, following an announcement that OpenAI would partner with Broadcom to create in-house AI processors.

In South Korea, the Kospi index gained 0.6% after Samsung Electronics reported surprisingly strong predicted operating profits for the third quarter, thanks to solid demand for traditional memory chips.

In contrast, Japan's Nikkei index fell 1.2% as the market reopened after a holiday.

UK Wage Growth Struggles

The rate at which UK workers' regular pay is increasing has slightly slowed down, marking the weakest growth in over three years, primarily due to slower raises in the private sector.

From June to August 2025, the average regular pay (not including bonuses) grew by 4.7% annually, a small drop from the previous period and exactly what market experts expected. This slowdown was entirely concentrated in the private sector, where wage growth fell from 4.7% to a four-year low of 4.4%.

In contrast, public sector wages actually accelerated, hitting 6.0% annual growth, partly because some pay raises were implemented earlier this year than last. Among different industries, the highest pay increases (after the public sector) were seen in wholesaling, retailing, and hospitality (5.9%), while the weakest were in finance and business services (2.9%). When accounting for inflation (meaning the real buying power of the wages), the growth was minimal, slowing to just 0.6%, which is the lowest real-terms gain since 2023.

The data today will only add to expectations of a December rate cut from the Bank of England (BoE).

European Session - European Stocks Struggle

European stock markets declined on Tuesday, reaching a two-week low, as fresh worries about the US-China trade conflict resurfaced and corporate news, specifically from French tire maker Michelin, weighed heavily on the market.

The overall STOXX 600 index fell by 0.6%. Investors were nervous after both the US and China began imposing new port fees on shipping companies, a move that signals an expansion of the trade war despite earlier hopes for talks.

This anxiety hit the miners sector the hardest, which fell by 2%.

The automakers sector also dropped 1.5%, largely due to Michelin, whose stock plunged 9.3% after the company cut its financial outlook for the entire year. Michelin blamed worse-than-expected sales and falling profit margins in the North American market.

Other related companies, like Germany's Continental and Italy's Pirelli, also saw their shares fall.

Bucking the trend, Swedish telecoms firm Ericsson soared 12.4% after it reported stronger-than-expected quarterly profits and downplayed the potential negative effects of the new US tariffs.

On the FX front, the U.S. dollar's strength was brief on Tuesday, as it weakened against many other major currencies.

Both the euro and the British pound (sterling) saw small gains against the dollar. Currencies often seen as a measure of investor risk appetite, the Australian dollar and the New Zealand dollar, both suffered heavy losses, dropping 0.63% and 0.5%, respectively.

In contrast, traditional safe-haven currencies, those investors turn to during times of uncertainty were gaining ground. The Swiss franc rose 0.2%, and the Japanese yen reversed its earlier losses to climb 0.3% against the dollar.

Currency Power Balance

Source: OANDA Labs

Oil prices saw a small increase on Tuesday, while the price of gold continued its record-breaking surge.

Oil gained slightly, with Brent crude rising 0.2% to $63.45 per barrel. This gain came after a report from OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) on Monday indicated a key shift in the oil market.

OPEC now expects the world's oil supply to closely match demand next year, mainly because the larger OPEC+ group is increasing production. This is a change from their previous forecast, which had predicted a shortage of oil in 2026.

Meanwhile, Gold showed no signs of slowing down, jumping another 1.1% to a new record of $4,179.00/oz.

Economic Calendar and Final Thoughts

Looking at the economic calendar, the European session will bring ZEW economic sentiment data from the Euro Area and Germany.

Later in the day markets will continue to keep an eye on trade deal development talks between the US and China before earnings season kicks off. We will hear from BlackRock, JPMorgan and Citi Group today before Central Bank speakers take the spotlight.

For all market-moving economic releases and events, see the MarketPulse Economic Calendar. (click to enlarge)

Chart of the Day - FTSE 100 Index

From a technical standpoint, the FTSE 100 is trading just above a key support level provided by the 100-day MA around 9392.5.

A hold above this level of support could signal another bullish leg to the upside.

The period-14 RSI is currently below the 50 level which signals bearish momentum. A break back above 50 here could help the FTSE 100 push higher.

Immediate resistance rests around the 9500 handle before the swing high at 9590 comes into focus.

On the downside, support rests at 9392 before the 9357 and 9311 handles become areas of interest.

FTSE 100 Index Four-Hour Chart, October 14. 2025

Source: TradingView.com (click to enlarge)

Germany’s ZEW Economic Sentiment Index rose modestly in October to 39.3, up from 37.3 but below expectations of 41.7. Current Situation Index deteriorated further from -76.4 to –80.0, undershooting forecasts of –75.0.

ZEW President Achim Wambach noted that experts “are still hoping for an upturn in the medium term,” but persistent global uncertainties and questions over Berlin’s state investment program continue to weigh on confidence.

Sectorally, expectations improved in several export-oriented industries after a recent slump in shipments to China. However, the automotive sector—long Germany’s industrial backbone—remains an exception with "slightly deteriorating indicator."

Across the broader Eurozone, confidence took a sharper turn lower. ZEW Economic Sentiment Index dropped to 22.7 from 26.1, missing expectations of 30.2. Current Situation Index plunged by -30 points to –31.8. ZEW attributed the decline largely to political instability in France and ongoing budget disputes.

Full German ZEW release here.

The USD/JPY pair is being influenced by conflicting forces. The US dollar finds support from expectations that the Federal Reserve will maintain its hawkish hold on interest rates, coupled with diminished demand for traditional safe-haven assets.

Conversely, the market remains cautious of potential currency intervention by the Bank of Japan as the exchange rate nears the critical 152.00–152.50 range. This threat is effectively capping the dollar's upside potential.

Amid a backdrop of neutral US macroeconomic data and a decline in 10-year Treasury yields, selling pressure on the pair is gradually mounting.

Technical Analysis: USD/JPY

H4 Chart:

A downward wave structure is unfolding towards the 151.49 level. Upon reaching this target, we anticipate the formation of a tight consolidation range. A subsequent downward breakout would signal potential for a further decline to 150.40, with the broader downtrend potentially extending to 149.75. This bearish scenario is technically confirmed by the MACD indicator, whose signal line is above zero but is turning sharply downward from its highs.

H1 Chart:

The pair completed a downward impulse to 151.14, followed by a correction to 152.59. A new downward impulse is now taking shape, targeting 151.48. A breakout below this level would open the path for the wave to extend towards 150.40. This outlook is corroborated by the Stochastic oscillator, with its signal line below 50 and pointing firmly downward towards 20.

Conclusion

 The yen's correction is progressing as the dollar's momentum wanes. While broader monetary policy divergence offers underlying support to USD/JPY, the immediate risks are tilted to the downside, with technical structure and intervention fears suggesting a test of lower support levels is likely.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 202.62; (P) 202.93; (R1) 203.40; More...

Intraday bias in GBP/JPY stays neutral first. More consolidations could be seen but with 201.24 resistance turned support intact, further rally is still in favor. Break of 205.30 will target 61.8% projection of 184.35 to 199.96 from 197.47 at 207.11. However, firm break of 201.24 will confirm short term topping and bring deeper fall back to 197.47 support instead.

In the bigger picture, price actions from 208.09 (2024 high) are seen as a corrective pattern which might have completed at 184.35. Firm break of 208.09 high will resume the up trend from 123.94 (2020 low). Next target is 61.8% projection of 148.93 to 208.09 from 184.35 at 220.90. However, firm break of 197.47 will dampen this view and could extend the corrective pattern with another fall.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 175.77; (P) 176.34; (R1) 176.79; More...

Intraday bias stays neutral in EUR/JPY and more consolidations could be seen. Further rise is expected as long as 175.03 resistance turned support holds. On the upside, break of 177.91 will target 61.8% projection of 161.06 to 173.87 from 172.24 at 180.15 next. However, firm break of 175.03 will confirm short term topping and bring deeper fall back to 172.24 support.

In the bigger picture, up trend from 114.42 (2020 low) is in progress and should target 61.8% projection of 124.37 to 175.41 from 154.77 at 186.31. Firm break of 172.24 support will suggests that it has turned into consolidations again. But still, outlook will continue to stay bullish as long as 55 W EMA (now at 167.16) holds, even in case of deep pullback.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 0.8664; (P) 0.8687; (R1) 0.8701; More…

Intraday bias in EUR/GBP is turned neutral first. More range trading could be seen. On the upside, firm break of 0.8750 will resume larger rally towards 0.8867 fibonacci level. On the downside, break of 0.8654 will resume the fall from 0.8750 to 0.8631 support next.

In the bigger picture, rise from 0.8221 medium term bottom is seen as a corrective move. While further rally cannot be ruled out, upside should be limited by 61.8% retracement of 0.9267 to 0.8221 at 0.8867. Considering bearish divergence condition in D MACD, firm break of 0.8631 support will be the first sign that this corrective bounce has completed. Sustained trading below 55 W EMA (now at 0.8550) will confirm, and bring retest of 0.8221 low.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 1.7703; (P) 1.7793; (R1) 1.7849; More...

Despite some volatility, intraday bias in EUR/AUD stays on the upside at this point. Fall from 1.8155 could have completed at 1.7569 already. Further rise should be seen to 18155 resistance. Firm break there will argue that whole corrective pattern from 1.8554 has also completed and bring retest of this high. On the downside, below 55 4H EMA (now at 1.7744) will turn bias neutral and mix up the outlook.

In the bigger picture, price actions from 1.8554 medium term top are seen as a corrective pattern. Deeper fall could be seen as the pattern extends, but downside should be contained by 38.2% retracement of 1.4281 (2022 low) to 1.8554 at 1.6922 to bring rebound. Uptrend from 1.4281 is expected to resume at a later stage.

Daily Pivots: (S1) 0.9290; (P) 0.9306; (R1) 0.9319; More...

Intraday bias in EUR/CHF stays on the downside, as fall from 0.9452 is in progress for 0.9265 support. Firm break there should confirm that whole corrective rebound from 0.9218 has completed at 0.9452, and deeper fall should be seen to 0.9204/18 support zone. For now, risk will stay on the downside as long as 0.9330 resistance holds, in case of recovery.

In the bigger picture, the down trend from 0.9204 (2018 high) might still be in progress considering that EUR/CHF is staying well inside the long term falling channel. Bearishness is reaffirmed by rejection at 55 W EMA (now at 0.9405). Firm break of 0.9204 will confirm down trend resumption. On the upside, break of 0.9452 resistance is needed to be the first sign of bullish reversal, and break of 0.9660 is needed to confirm.

Markets

Dip-buyers already emerged yesterday, encouraged by the US administration that kept the option for trade talks with China open over the weekend. Of the 3.4% stock slide in the US (Nasdaq) after Trump threatened a 100% levy on Chinese goods, some 2.2% was recovered. European equities rose about 0.7% (EuroStoxx50). The US dollar strengthened too, reversing most of Friday’s decline. EUR/USD revisited the recent lows around 1.157. The trade-weighted index bounced back to north of 99 and USD/JPY went from 151.2 on Friday’s close to 152.3. The Australian dollar outperformed due to strong links with major trading partner China. We should add though that moves happened against the backdrop of a partially closed US market. Bond markets were shut for Columbus Day. Net daily changes in European rates were limited to less than 2 bps across the curve. French bonds slightly underperformed European peers after Lecornu II was born over the weekend. Certain commodities were very well bid. Copper, platinum and palladium all rose. Gold and silver surged to new all-time highs amid ongoing talk of what is dubbed the debasement trade. It’s in essence investors shifting away from fiat currencies into hard & scarce assets for reasons varying from runaway budgets over inflation worries to speculation that central banks will one day (have to) start the money printers again.

Asian stock markets missed the risk-on boat, driven amongst others by China imposing sanctions on 5 US-related firms in response to US probes against Chinese maritime, logistics and shipbuilding industries. Chinese stocks slip but Japanese ones underperform due to a JPY rally. French politics take center stage later today. Lecornu will present a draft budget to his cabinet this morning with a speech scheduled this afternoon (3 PM) before parliament. It’s a critical moment that will decide over the fate of his freshly installed government. The far left and right have already vowed to topple the government, regardless of the budget contents. Lecornu’s survival depends on the abstention by some of Les Républicains and the Socialist Party. The latter amongst others uses its outsized leverage to demand a wealth tax, higher company taxes, smaller budget cuts and a suspension of one of president Macron’s flagship pension reforms. Chances of Lecornu II not making it by the end of the week remain uncomfortably high. Euro and OAT underperformance are likely. The pound loses in a first reaction to the labour market data this morning. Both earnings and employment growth fell short of expectations while the unemployment rate ticked higher to 4.8%, a four year high. EUR/GBPrises to 0.87. The Q3 earnings seasons kicks off with the biggest of US financial firms.

News & Views

UK retail sales growth (same store sales) slowed from 2.9% Y/Y in August to 2% Y/Y in September (vs 2.5% consensus). Details showed both food (3.8% Y/Y from 4.2%) and non-food (0.5% Y/Y from 1.8%) sales growth slowing. Electrical sales were buzzing thanks to new Apple releases while milder weather delayed refreshing autumn and winter wardrobes. The CEO of the British Retail Consortium said that retail spending rose more slowly than in recent months with the (November) budget looming large and households facing higher bills: “Rising inflation and a potentially taxing budget is weighing on the minds of many households planning their Christmas spending. Retailers also face difficult decisions about investment and hiring over the Golden Quarter given uncertainty over business rates bills arriving in April (new business rates surtax).”

Japan’s main opposition parties are likely to meet today to discuss the possibility of rallying behind a unified candidate to take on the new LDP-leader in a parliamentary vote on becoming the new PM. LDP Takaichi’s road to succeeding PM Ueda hit a first road block last week when LDP’s junior coalition partner Komeito decided to end their understanding. Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the small but rapidly growing Democratic Party for the People (DPP), would be the opposition’s joint candidate. He shares a platform with Japan’s main opposition party (CDP) and the Japan innovation party (Ishin) with a clear promise to raise people’s take-home pay. Both LDP and the trio of DPP-CDP-Ishin would rule a minority government, but the opposition block (210) outvotes LDP (196) when it comes to securing the next PM. If Komeito were to flip sides completely, they could have a razor-thin majority in Japan’s key lower house (234 vs 233 threshold). If Tamaki were to succeed in his PM bid, it would be the first time since 2009 that LDP was forced to the opposition.

The latest U.K. labor market figures painted a mixed picture for September, highlighting a slowdown in hiring momentum alongside still-solid wage growth. Payroll employment fell by -10k. Claimant count rose sharply by 25.8k, well above expectations for a modest 10.3k increase.

At the same time, wage growth remains resilient, albeit easing from its prior peak. Median monthly pay increased by 5.5% yoy, down from 6.5% in August but still within the tight range seen since the start of the year.

Over the three months to August, unemployment rate ticked up to 4.8%, slightly higher than the expected 4.7%. Meanwhile, average earnings including bonuses rose 5.0% yoy, beating forecasts of 4.7% yoy. Pay growth excluding bonuses slowed to 4.7% yoy, in line with expectations.

Overall, the figures reinforce the view of a gradual cooling in the labor market rather than a sharp deterioration. Elevated wage pressures will remain a key concern for the BoE.

Full UK labor market release here.