Friday

• Global markets displayed mixed performance Friday as investors navigated multiple crosscurrents. The S&P 500 edged higher by 0.6% following strong Intel earnings, while the Stoxx 600 gained 0.3% and Japan’s Nikkei climbed 1.35%.
• Russia’s central bank cut rates to 16.5% while the Federal Reserve prepares for an expected 25 basis point cut next week. The White House confirmed President Trump will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week, lifting sentiment across Asian markets.
• The US government shutdown entered its 24th day, limiting economic data availability, September CPI report expected to show 3.0% inflation YoY.

Thursday

• US stock futures showed mixed movement following disappointing quarterly results from Tesla and IBM. The weak tech earnings weighed on market sentiment and raised concerns about sector valuations.
• President Trump imposed substantial sanctions on Russia’s largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. Brent crude surged over 5% to $66 per barrel while WTI gained more than 5% to $62 per barrel.
• Indian markets posted strong gains driven by optimism over potential US-India trade negotiations. Reports indicated the nations are approaching a trade agreement that could reduce tariffs on Indian exports from 50% to 15-16%. Gold prices recovered 1.6% amid renewed US-China trade tensions and uncertainty from the prolonged US government shutdown.

Wednesday

• The Dow Jones reached a record above 47,000 driven by strong earnings from Coca-Cola, General Motors, and 3M. 85% of S&P 500 companies beat profit expectations, marking the highest beat rate since 2021.
• Netflix declined 6% after missing earnings forecasts. Gold fell over 5% from record highs near $4,381 to around $4,100 in its steepest single-day decline since 2020.
• Bitcoin traded around $108,000 after briefly touching $112,000, with $19 billion in recent liquidations. Asian stock exchanges are implementing stricter regulations on companies holding cryptocurrencies as treasury assets.
• UK inflation held steady at 3.8% in September, below the 4% forecast. Indonesia surprised markets by holding rates steady while Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi supports continued economic stimulus policies.

Tuesday

• Chinese stocks gained on optimism surrounding potential U.S.-China trade deal discussions, with President Trump expressing hopes for a “fair deal” with President Xi Jinping at an upcoming South Korea meeting.
• Bitcoin faced significant liquidations totaling over $106 million in long positions within four hours. Long-term Bitcoin holders sold 337,300 BTC over 30 days, marking the highest monthly selling pressure from seasoned investors in recent months.
• Gold prices pulled back from record highs above $4,300 per ounce as easing U.S.-China trade tensions reduced safe-haven demand. Oil prices fell to five-month lows with the International Energy Agency warning of a potential surplus of nearly four million barrels per day in 2026.

Monday

• US stocks posted strong gains with the Dow rising 238 points to 46,190, Nasdaq climbing 117 points to 22,679, and S&P 500 adding 35 points to 6,664 on Friday. Asian markets rallied broadly on Monday with Japan’s Nikkei surging 1,383 points while hopes for eased US-China trade tensions boosted investor sentiment.
• China’s economy grew 4.8% year-over-year in Q3, slightly above expectations, while the People’s Bank of China maintained interest rates at 3% as projected.
• Gold prices consolidated near $4,259 after hitting record highs, with safe-haven demand persisting amid the ongoing US government shutdown. Oil prices declined with Brent crude falling to $60.84 per barrel due to oversupply concerns and weakening demand growth signals.