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Asian Markets Rise Before US Jobs Report, Fed Comments Ease Rate-Hike Fears Asian equities moved higher on Friday as investors positioned themselves ahead of the crucial US August jobs report. The biggest shift came from Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller, whose comments reduced fears of an imminent US interest-rate hike and helped bonds recover, the US dollar weaken and the Japanese yen strengthen. 30-Second Market Snapshot 🇯🇵  Nikkei:  +0.8% 🇨🇳  China blue chips:  +1.0% 🇰🇷  Kospi:  +1.1% 🌏  MSCI Asia ex-Japan:  +1.0% 💵  US Dollar Index:  98.96 🇯🇵  USD/JPY:  around 155.7 🥇  Gold:  around US$4,470/oz 🛢️  Brent crude:  around US$95.52/barrel 🇺🇸  US 2-Year Treasury Yield:  4.34% 🇺🇸  US 10-Year Treasury Yield:  4.76% Big Story Today Markets are becoming slightly less convinced that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates in September. Fed Governor Christopher W...

Summary Asian equities surged after  Japan’s stock market soared to a fresh all-time high , driven by political clarity and expectations of aggressive reflation policies, while a late rebound on Wall Street and renewed hopes of US rate cuts further boosted risk appetite. What’s Driving the Rally Markets across Asia rallied after a  decisive election win  by Japanese Prime Minister  Sanae Takaichi , which secured a strong parliamentary mandate and cleared the way for  more fiscal spending and tax cuts . Japan’s Nikkei jumped 4.2% to a record high MSCI Asia-Pacific (ex-Japan) rose 1.0% South Korea’s tech-heavy index climbed 3.9% Investors interpreted the result as an endorsement of  reflationary “Sanaenomics” , including: Possible food consumption tax cuts  → supportive for domestic demand Higher defence spending  → positive for defence-related stocks Wall Street Relief Rally Adds Momentum Sentiment was also lifted by a sharp rebound in US equities ...

Trump Unveils Fresh Tariffs Ahead of Oct 1 Deadline Asian shares retreated on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new round of tariffs set to take effect on  Oct 1 . The measures include: 100% duties  on imported branded drugs 25% tariffs  on heavy-duty trucks 50% tariffs  on kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities 30% tariffs  on upholstered furniture The sweeping levies rattled regional markets, with Japan’s  Topix pharmaceutical index  sliding 1.4% and Australian biotech giant  CSL  tumbling more than 3%. Regional Market Reaction Nikkei 225  fell 0.5% MSCI Asia-Pacific ex-Japan  index dropped 0.45% Nasdaq futures  eased 0.08% S&P 500 futures  slipped 0.02% Meanwhile, European markets bucked the trend, with  EUROSTOXX 50 futures  up 0.37% and  FTSE futures gaining 0.25%. “Right now, it adds to a shaky backdrop for risk assets,” said Tony Sycamore, market analyst at IG. Fed Cut Bets Dial...

Key Takeaway Asian stocks recovered on Thursday after Federal Reserve officials hinted at upcoming rate cuts, calming nerves from a bond market selloff. Softer U.S. jobs data also reinforced expectations of easing. Market Snapshot MSCI Asia ex-Japan : +0.5% Australia (ASX 200) : +0.7%, rebounding from worst drop since April Japan (Nikkei 225) : +1.2% at open China (Shanghai Composite) : –0.4%, tracking third straight decline on regulatory cooling measures Driving Factors Fed Support for Cuts : Fed Governor Christopher Waller signaled backing for rate cuts in coming months. Stephen Miran (Trump’s Fed Board nominee) emphasized commitment to central bank independence. Jobs Data : Weak JOLTS job openings reinforced bets on a September cut. Beige Book : Painted a mixed U.S. economic outlook, with tariff-related price risks noted. Bond & Currency Moves U.S. Treasuries : 10-year yield at 4.2129% (vs. 4.211% prior close) 2-year yield at 3.6166% (vs. 3.612% prior close) Currencies : USD/JPY...

 Fed’s Policy Pivot Lifts Sentiment Asian equities climbed Monday, buoyed by growing conviction that the  U.S. Federal Reserve will resume rate cuts in September . Futures now price in an  84% probability of a 25bps cut  and as much as  100bps of easing by mid-2026 , bringing the Fed funds rate into the  3.25%–3.50% range . Treasuries & Dollar:  Yields fell sharply on Friday, with the U.S. 10-year note at  4.263% , down 7bps. The dollar weakened, supporting risk assets. Market implication:  Lower borrowing costs improve the earnings outlook, but also signal Fed concern over slowing employment and growth. JPMorgan’s Bruce Kasman warned that while easing is supportive, risks remain skewed toward a  downshift in global growth . Inflation in Focus – Data Could Test Euphoria The rally faces an immediate test from Friday’s release of the  U.S. PCE index , the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge. Core inflation is expected to rise to ...