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Latest stock market data plus index, currencies, and commodities performance

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

Gold hits record as US shutdown fears weigh on Dollar and data outlook

Gold surged to a fresh record above $3,865/oz while Treasuries held gains, as mounting odds of a US government shutdown threatened to delay high-impact economic releases that guide Federal Reserve policy.

A government shutdown could deepen America’s economic data problem

With federal funding set to lapse after Sept. 30, the U.S. faces more than closed parks and furloughed workers: it risks a data vacuum just as investors and policymakers need clarity most. During a shutdown, many staff at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)—the agency behind the jobs and inflation reports—are classified as non-essential, threatening delays to the Oct. 3 employment release and the Oct. 15 CPI report.