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Sanae Takaichi becomes Japan’s first female prime minister as Tokyo tilts toward fiscal activism

Japan has entered a new political era. Sanae Takaichi, long regarded as one of the country’s most conservative and economically assertive figures, was elected prime minister on Tuesday — becoming the first woman in Japan’s history to hold the nation’s highest office. Her appointment, secured with 237 votes in the lower house, arrives amid inflationary pressures, shifting alliances, and a renewed debate over Japan’s economic future. Markets rallied on expectations of stimulus and a softer stance

Gold and silver hit record highs as credit fears and us-china tensions fuel safe-haven rush

Gold and silver surged to record highs on Friday as mounting credit concerns in the U.S. banking sector and renewed tensions between Washington and Beijing reignited investor demand for havens. Bullion briefly reached $4,379 an ounce — its highest level ever — while silver shattered its four-decade ceiling to touch $54.38. The rally gained momentum on expectations of a major Federal Reserve rate cut before year-end, reflecting growing unease over financial stability and geopolitical risk.

Fed’s beige book underscores weak growth, paving the way for more rate cuts

The Federal Reserve’s latest Beige Book paints a subdued picture of the U.S. economy, reinforcing expectations that policymakers will continue cutting rates in the months ahead. Despite the ongoing government shutdown limiting official data, the Fed’s regional survey suggests that business activity has stalled, labor demand remains muted, and inflation pressures are being absorbed by profit margins. With Chair Jerome Powell signaling concern over hiring and Fed officials calling for a faster mo

Powell signals another fed cut as weak hiring pressures unemployment

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated that the U.S. central bank remains on course to deliver another quarter-point rate cut later this month, even as a prolonged government shutdown obscures key economic data. Speaking at the National Association for Business Economics conference, Powell acknowledged that hiring momentum has weakened and cautioned that further declines in job openings could soon translate into higher unemployment.

Silver breaks through historical peak: Echoes of the hunt brothers and a modern short squeeze

After forty-five years, silver has broken through its all-time high, surpassing levels not seen since the Hunt brothers’ legendary 1980 squeeze. Spot prices in London vaulted above $53.40 per ounce this week as liquidity strains in the bullion market triggered a scramble among traders and arbitrageurs.

Trump signals openness to china deal as tariff tensions strain global markets

President Donald Trump’s administration is signaling a possible path toward renewed trade dialogue with Beijing after a week of escalating tariff threats and market volatility. While the White House insists it retains leverage over China, officials have begun hinting at compromise ahead of the Nov. 1 tariff deadline.

Fed minutes reveal widening debate over balance sheet runoff strategy

Federal Reserve officials remain divided over how far to continue shrinking the central bank’s $7 trillion balance sheet, according to minutes from the September policy meeting. While several participants stressed the need to keep monitoring money-market liquidity and bank-reserve levels, others favored pushing the runoff further to minimize the Fed’s footprint in financial markets.

BOJ faces political test as Takaichi win complicates rate-hike path

The Bank of Japan faces a tougher political environment after ruling party leader Sanae Takaichi’s victory, raising questions about whether Governor Kazuo Ueda can proceed with another rate increase without jeopardizing the central bank’s independence. Markets had been preparing for an October hike following stronger data and hawkish signals, but expectations collapsed after Takaichi — a known critic of higher rates — secured her win.

Shutdown turmoil strengthens case for more fed rate cuts

The prospect of a prolonged U.S. government shutdown is reshaping expectations for monetary policy, with markets now convinced the Federal Reserve will continue lowering rates. Investors have fully priced in a quarter-point cut in October and see strong odds of another in December. The political stalemate in Washington adds fresh risks to an already fragile labor market, tilting the balance toward caution at the Fed.

Shutdown watch: Why this one could matter for markets

Government shutdowns usually dent growth briefly and then fade. But with funding set to lapse and officials warning of furloughs—and even potential layoffs—this episode could be more disruptive. The immediate risks: delayed economic data (jobs, inflation), a “data vacuum” for the Fed and businesses, and a fragile labor market that’s already losing momentum. Historically, stocks have shrugged off shutdowns; this time, prolonged disruption or permanent job cuts could turn a routine hiccup into a b