News

Japan Producer Price Index (YoY) registered at 2.7% above expectations (2.5%) in September

Japan Bank Lending (YoY) registered at 3.8% above expectations (3.7%) in September

Citigroup economists forecast that the US core Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.28% in September, a slower pace than August’s 0.35%, indicating continued moderation in inflation pressures.

ICYMI, it looks like this data will be published, despite the government shut down:

• Big news – US plans to release the September CPI report data despite government shut down

The bank said that while tariffs could keep goods prices elevated, particularly in imported categories, a cooling housing market should help cap services inflation and keep the broader trend contained.

Although a government shutdown may delay official data releases, Citigroup said the underlying direction remains clear — inflation is easing. It highlighted that a softening labour market and slower house price gains have reduced the risk of entrenched inflation, suggesting the Federal Reserve will have scope for additional rate cuts later this year if the disinflation trend persists.

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.

GBP/USD accelerated into the bearish side on Thursday, falling nearly eight-tenths of one percent and sending Cable bids into the 1.3300 handle for the first time since early August.

The USD/JPY pair extends the rally to around 153.05 during the early Asian session on Friday, bolstered by a firmer US dollar (USD). The Greenback edges higher to its highest since February against the Japanese Yen (JPY) amid the lack of progress around the US government shutdown.

The USD/JPY pair extends the rally to around 153.05 during the early Asian session on Friday, bolstered by a firmer US dollar (USD). The Greenback edges higher to its highest since February against the Japanese Yen (JPY) amid the lack of progress around the US government shutdown.

US Treasury Secretary Bessent

• Soon we are going to see rebalancing where India buys less Russian oil
• India is going to start rebalancing over next few weeks and months in favor of U.S. oil
• Argentina’s leader will be coming to Oval Office next Tuesday
• This is not a bailout for Argentina
• Argentine peso is undervalued
• Exchange Stabilization Fund will not lose money in assisting Argentina
• Argentina is rich in minerals, committed to U.S. companies coming into that sector
• Says he believes the Chinese will come back at the end of the season and buy soybeans
• If it weren’t for shutdown, we would have announced support for farmers

more to come

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.

The United States will send 200 troops to form the core of a multinational task force aimed at stabilising Gaza, though none will operate inside the enclave, two senior US officials said.

The unit will coordinate from an undisclosed regional base, working alongside forces from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and likely the UAE. The mission’s focus is to establish a joint control centre to prevent clashes and support Israeli coordination without direct US involvement in Gaza.

Officials said Washington hopes the task force will help cool regional tensions and pave the way for new diplomatic normalisation efforts between Israel and Arab states. Potential future deals could include Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Mauritania, Algeria, Syria, and Lebanon.

—

The deployment signals Washington’s push for regional stability without direct military engagement. While limited in scope, for now at least, the move may ease geopolitical risk premiums if it supports progress toward wider Israel-Arab normalisation.

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.

Lawmakers on both sides remain dug in, showing no indication that they are open to yielding on their demands.

New York Federal Reserve President John C. Williams said he supports more interest rate cuts this year to protect a softening labour market, even though inflation has risen above the Fed’s 2% goal in recent months.

In an interview with The New York Times, Williams said the economy is not near recession but signs of slowing job growth and cautious corporate hiring justify attention. As a permanent voting member of the FOMC and close ally of Chair Jerome Powell, his stance carries weight within the Fed.

Williams argued the central bank has room to support employment because inflation pressures from President Trump’s tariffs are likely to fade. He expects inflation to rise toward 3% while unemployment edges above 4%, conditions under which modest rate cuts could help steady the economy.

Despite the government shutdown delaying key data such as the jobs and CPI reports, Williams said the Fed could still act, relying on private surveys and internal indicators. He described monetary policy as “modestly restrictive” and said the goal is to bring rates back to a neutral level around 3%.

Williams defended the Fed’s independence amid ongoing political pressure, saying its focus remains on achieving both price stability and maximum employment. He dismissed criticism of the Fed’s past asset purchases, noting they helped avoid a deeper downturn.

—

Williams’ remarks reinforce expectations for additional Fed easing this year. His focus on labour-market fragility over short-term inflation risks suggests a cautious policy bias, though ongoing political scrutiny could test Fed independence.

Earlier headlines on this here:

• Fed’s Williams backs further rate cuts this year

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.