2025-10-28 04:59

MUMBAI, Oct 28 (Reuters) - The Indian rupee closed little changed on Tuesday as lingering pressure on the currency was blunted by likely central bank intervention across the local spot and non-deliverable forward market, traders said. Worries about limited progress in U.S.-India trade negotiations have been a drag for the rupee since steep tariffs went into effect in late August, while importer dollar demand has also remained elevated. Sign up here. The rupee closed at 88.2650 against the U.S. dollar, nearly flat compared to its close at 88.2450 in the previous session. It had declined to a two-week low of 88.40 in early trading. The Reserve Bank of India likely intervened to support the rupee, five traders said, with two also pointing out that the central bank was active across the spot and NDF markets. The central bank's presence in NDF "appears to be quite strong but the upward pressure (on USD/INR) is likely to persist," a trader at a private bank said. In addition to dollar demand from local corporates, bids for the greenback related to maturity of NDF positions are also likely to be a sore spot for the rupee in the near term, the trader said. India's benchmark stock index Nifty 50 (.NSEI) , opens new tab closed down 0.1% on the day, tracking declines in regional stocks. The dollar index was steady on Tuesday while the onshore Chinese yuan ended its domestic trading session at the strongest level since November 2024. Investors are keeping their focus on U.S. President Donald Trump's Asia visit for signs of a breakthrough in trade talks with China as Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet in South Korea on Thursday. "Optimism remains intact that President Trump and Xi can agree on a meaningful trade truce ... we remain very much focused on what happens to China's threat of stringent controls on rare earth exports," analysts at ING said in a note. https://www.reuters.com/world/india/weak-dollar-may-boost-rupee-open-after-hedging-fuelled-slide-past-88-2025-10-28/

2025-10-28 04:31

Oct 28 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Wayne Cole. U.S. President Donald Trump is touring Tokyo today, and all the talk is of baseball, golf gifts and Nobel Peace Prizes, along with the odd deal on rare earths. Sign up here. The bonhomie is at least a relief from the usual trade war invective and keeps alive hopes for some sort of rapprochement with China later in the week. It's allowed Asian markets to consolidate most of the outsized gains made on Monday, with indexes in Japan, Taiwan and South Korea all near record highs. The latter got an added bump from data showing the economy outpaced forecasts in the third quarter, led by strength in consumption and exports. China's Shanghai index (.SSEC) , opens new tab also pushed past 4,000 for the first time since 2015 as Beijing signed an upgraded free-trade deal with Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN. European and Wall Street futures are mostly flat, no surprise given the who's who of mega-caps reporting this week have a lot to live up to. Expectations are high given that of the 30% of S&P 500 companies reporting so far, 85% have topped the Street on EPS. Options imply share price swings of 6% in either direction are possible depending on the results. Likewise, bonds and the dollar are waiting anxiously to see just how dovish the Federal Reserve might be on Wednesday. A cut of 25 basis points is baked in, and investors are looking for validation of bets for another in December, and two more next year. The long-end would also very much like for the Fed to stop running down its balance sheet, please. No more QT for thee. For the Bank of Japan, betting is very much for no move on Thursday, though there is a risk that two or more members vote for a rate hike given stubborn inflation. An actual hike would certainly trigger a violent sell-off in dollar/yen, suggesting the risk-averse BOJ might just lay the groundwork for a tightening in December or January. Key developments that could influence markets on Tuesday: - ECB bank lending survey - U.S. Conference Board Consumer Confidence, Richmond Fed October Manufacturing Index, Dallas Fed services survey, August house prices https://www.reuters.com/world/china/global-markets-view-europe-2025-10-28/

2025-10-28 02:07

Weak yen could weigh on households' purchasing power Weak yen boosts exporters' profits, domestic investment Pain from weak yen can be addressed by economic package Kiuchi calls for focus on stimulating demand Remarks come ahead of BOJ's policy meeting this week TOKYO, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Japan's new economic revitalisation minister, Minoru Kiuchi, said on Tuesday a weak yen has benefits to the economy and its demerits could be addressed by swiftly compiling a package of steps to ease the pain from rising living costs. He also said the new administration's priority would be to accelerate economic growth, so that the benefits of its recovery can be delivered to a broader population. Sign up here. The remarks highlight the focus Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration puts on reflating the economy through expansionary fiscal policy, a contrast to the closer attention her predecessor placed on inflationary risks from a weak yen. "A weak yen pushes up import costs and domestic prices, which in turn effectively weighs on the purchasing power of households and some companies," Kiuchi told a news conference. "But there are also merits such as the boost it gives to exporters' profits and domestic investment," he said, adding that it was important for exchange rates to move stably reflecting fundamentals. NEW ADMINISTRATION, NEW PRIORITIES A weak yen has become a political headache for policymakers in recent years as it pushes up import costs and broader inflation, which has remained above the Bank of Japan's 2% target for well over three years. The BOJ's exit from a decade-long, massive stimulus in 2024, and two interest rate hikes through January, came amid political calls for action to combat sharp yen falls. Markets widely expect the central bank to keep interest rates steady at 0.5% at its two-day policy meeting ending on Thursday, and await more clarity on the new administration's policies before lifting borrowing costs to 0.75%. "We will continue to closely monitor the impact of currency moves on Japan's economy," Kiuchi said. "As for the rising cost of living, we'll deal with that by compiling a comprehensive economic package," he added. Known as a fiscal dove, Takaichi is preparing an economic package that is likely to exceed last year's $92 billion to help households tackle inflation, sources have told Reuters. While being mindful of the need for fiscal discipline, Japan can boost its long-term potential growth by stimulating demand and keeping the labour market tight, Kiuchi said. There are varying views on how much excess demand is desirable for Japan's economy, which is why the government and BOJ are scrutinising inflation and wage developments, he added. Japanese share prices have soared on market expectations of big spending by Takaichi, though some analysts warn of the strain her plans add to the country's already dire finances. Moody's Ratings affirmed Japan's A1 debt rating on Monday, citing rising tax revenues backed by resilient domestic demand and solid nominal economic growth. But the International Monetary Fund has warned that any spending must be targeted and temporary. "Japan's economy will go back to potential growth. They don't need to provide (stimulus)," Krishna Srinivasan, director of the IMF's Asia and Pacific Department, told Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japans-new-economy-minister-says-weak-yen-has-benefits-growth-2025-10-28/

2025-10-28 00:20

BEIJING, Oct 28 (Reuters) - China has called on its neighbours Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN countries to make greater efforts in science and technology, including carrying out joint scientific and technological research, according to the official Xinhua. Chinese Premier Li Qiang pointed to opportunities in artificial intelligence, robotics, and biomedicine, brought about by scientific and technological revolution and an industrial transformation. Sign up here. In remarks at a leaders' meeting with ASEAN, Japan, and South Korea in Malaysia and published by Xinhua late on Monday, Li said China is willing to continue to cooperating in the digital economy, electric vehicles and clean energy. "We must persist in properly resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, oppose external interference, and avoid artificially creating tension and conflict," he said in a speech at the meeting. https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/china-urges-joint-efforts-with-japan-south-korea-asean-science-tech-2025-10-28/

2025-10-28 00:07

LONDON, Oct 28 (Reuters) - British retailers cut their prices in October, led by the biggest drop for food in almost five years, industry figures showed, offering a bit of relief to households before Halloween as well as the Bank of England and the government. Overall shop prices fell by 0.3% from September, the first month-on-month drop since March, the British Retail Consortium said on Tuesday. Sign up here. A monthly 0.4% drop in food prices was the biggest such fall since December 2020, the BRC said. Compared with October last year, overall shop prices were 1.0% higher after a 1.4% rise in September, the first time that the annual pace of increases has slowed since June. Annual food price inflation was also cooler at 3.7% compared with October last year, down from 4.2% in September, although fresh food prices continued to accelerate. The BoE is watching food prices closely as it believes they have a big role in shaping public inflation expectations. Last week, official data showed Britain's headline inflation rate held at 3.8%, the highest since early 2024 but below forecasts of an increase to 4.0%. BRC Chief Executive Helen Dickinson highlighted fierce competition amongst retailers, widespread discounting and an easing of global sugar prices which helped to bring down prices of chocolate and confectionary ahead of Halloween. Some retailers started promotions for electrical goods and beauty products before the Black Friday sales that typically fall in November, Dickinson said. She called on finance minister Rachel Reeves not to increase the cost burden on the sector in her budget on November 26. "Adding further taxes on retail businesses would inevitably keep inflation higher for longer," Dickinson said. Reeves has said she will use her budget to bring down the cost of living. https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-shop-prices-fall-first-time-since-march-retailers-say-2025-10-28/

2025-10-27 23:29

TOKYO, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump are in the final stages of preparing a joint document on securing rare earths and other critical minerals and strengthening supply chains, the Asahi Newspaper reported on Tuesday. The agreement, which the two leaders plan to sign during their meeting later on Tuesday, aims to address economic security concerns following China's move in October to tighten export controls on rare earths, which are crucial for a wide range of products from smartphones to fighter jets, the paper said citing Japanese government officials. Sign up here. In response to China's dominance in global production, the White House had initially planned to impose a 100% additional tariff on Chinese exports. But Washington and Beijing on Sunday reached a framework for a trade deal that could pause planned U.S. tariffs and Chinese export controls on critical minerals. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are due to meet on Thursday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea to sign off on the terms. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/takaichi-trump-sign-joint-document-securing-rare-earth-minerals-asahi-says-2025-10-27/