Asian Stocks Rise on Trade Deal Optimism, Nikkei Nears Record

• Asian Markets Rally:
  
  • MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index (ex-Japan) rose 0.4%, hitting a near 4-year high.
    
  • Nikkei 225 inches closer to its record high.
    
  • Topix (Japan) and Singapore’s STI crossed previous highs.
    
• Europe Set to Open Strong:
  
  • Pan-European futures: +1.17%
    
  • German DAX futures: +1.15%
    
  • FTSE futures: +0.39%
    
• Boost from Trade Hopes:
  
  • Optimism follows U.S. deals with Japan, Philippines, and Indonesia.
    
  • Hopes rise for a potential U.S.–EU trade deal.
    
  • Trump threatens 30% duty on EU goods, but a 15% tariff compromise may be near.
    
• Trump to Visit the Fed:
  
  • Trump to visit the Federal Reserve Thursday — a rare and controversial move.
    
  • Possible pressure on Chair Jerome Powell ahead of next week’s policy decision.
    
  • The Fed is expected to hold rates steady.
    
• Market Indicators:
  
  • U.S. 10-year Treasury yield steady at 4.3937%.
    
  • Dollar down 0.31% vs yen, trading at 146.03.
    
  • Euro trades at $1.1774.
    
  • Dollar index down to 97.156, having dropped over 10% this year.
    
• Earnings Season Highlights:
  
  • 23% of S&P 500 firms have reported; 85% beat expectations.
    
  • Strong earnings from SK Hynix and Infosys support Asian tech stocks.
    
• ECB Watch:
  
  • The European Central Bank expected to pause rate cuts after 7 straight reductions.
    
  • Another rate cut expected by December.
    
• Commodity Markets:
  
  • Oil prices rise on trade optimism and U.S. inventory drawdown:
    
    • U.S. crude: $65.59 (+0.52%)
      
  • Gold slightly down due to reduced safe-haven demand:
    

Spot gold: $3,382.79/oz