- Crypto backdoor slammed shut as S&P rejects Strategy’s index inclusion
- Japan to restrict exports to some entities in China, Turkey re sanctions against Russia
- China Q3 GDP seen below 5%, stimulus pressure builds into year-end
- China to nearly double battery storage to 180 GW by 2027 in $35bn plan
- Switzerland plans U.S. gold refinery, pharma output boost to ease Trump tariffs
- Japan's Hayashi announces plan to lower price cap on Russian oil
- PBOC sets USD/ CNY central rate at 7.1019 (vs. estimate at 7.1081)
- US jobs stall, payrolls revised lower; inflation sticky, Fed eyes cautious rate cut
- US, Japan reaffirm FX commitments; Kato cites significance after US tariff order
- Japan and the US have reaffirmed their agreement not to manipulate FX rates. Yeah, right.
- ExGoldman Sachs CEO Blankfein warns of looming crisis, but stays “100% in” on equities
- Bessent will meet with Chinese officials, in Madrid next week
- China is not happy with the super-high tariffs Mexico has placed on it now
- Morgan Stanley: Pound liquidity thinner than thought, more like franc or kiwi
- New Zealand card retail sales +0.7% m/m in August (prior +0.2%)
- US Naval Academy is in lockdown, active shooter, multiple casualties reported
- New Zealand August Manufacturing PMI 49.9 (prior 52.8)
- Brazil Supreme Court sentences former President Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison
- Mexico slaps 50% tariffs on Chinese cars amid U.S. pressure, $52bn impact
- US Senate to hold confirmation vote on Trump's Federal Reserve pick on Monday
- Canada may drop oil cap, weigh new climate competitiveness strategy, sources say
- (FT) - US will urge the G7 to hit China and India with high tariffs re Russian oil buying
- Rabobank sees AUD/USD dipping to 0.65 before rallying to 0.89 in 12 months
- ICYMI - Beijing weighs $1tln lifeline to help local govts pay overdue private-sector bills
- Shots fired at UMass Boston, large police response - markets shrug it off
- Record levels for the Dow, NASDAQ and the S&P index
- investingLive Americas FX news wrap: Jump in initial jobless claims overshadows CPI
Regional equities mostly advanced, following Wall Street’s lead, though mainland China underperformed. Major FX was subdued in tight ranges, with the USD holding most of its overnight losses. The yen softened slightly (USD/JPY and crosses higher), though without a clear trigger. Japan announced fresh sanctions on Russia and, with the US, reaffirmed their FX commitments — pledging not to target exchange rates but leaving scope for intervention if volatility demands.
News flow was otherwise light. China responded to Mexico’s move to slap tariffs of up to 50% on many of its products, warning Mexico to think carefully before proceeding.
Precious metals rose, silver notably hitting USD42.
Asia-Pac stocks:
- Japan (Nikkei 225) +0.86%
- Hong Kong (Hang Seng) +1.27%
- Shanghai Composite +0.12%
- Australia (S&P/ASX 200) +0.65%