Trading Economics-


The S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.5% to close at 8,886 on Thursday, extending its nearly 1% decline from the previous session to hover at two-week lows, dragged by losses in real estate and consumer discretionary stocks. Real estate shares dropped 2.3% for a second straight session, led by a 3.4% slide in Stockland Corporation. Discretionary stocks also weakened, down 3.5%, with electronics retailer JB Hi-Fi dropping 4.5% to a near three-month low after posting a sharp quarterly slowdown in sales across Australia and New Zealand. In contrast, heavyweight miners advanced, with mining giants BHP and Rio Tinto up 1% and 0.5%, respectively, as copper prices hit record highs. Broader sentiment remained cautious as traders pared back expectations for a rate cut from the Reserve Bank of Australia next week following a surprise inflation jump in the third quarter. Markets have almost fully priced in a hold at 3.60%, with rate futures showing less than a 7% chance of a cut at the November 4 meeting.

Trading Economics-


The S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.5% to close at 8,886 on Thursday, extending its nearly 1% decline from the previous session to hover at two-week lows, dragged by losses in real estate and consumer discretionary stocks. Real estate shares dropped 2.3% for a second straight session, led by a 3.4% slide in Stockland Corporation. Discretionary stocks also weakened, down 3.5%, with electronics retailer JB Hi-Fi dropping 4.5% to a near three-month low after posting a sharp quarterly slowdown in sales across Australia and New Zealand. In contrast, heavyweight miners advanced, with mining giants BHP and Rio Tinto up 1% and 0.5%, respectively, as copper prices hit record highs. Broader sentiment remained cautious as traders pared back expectations for a rate cut from the Reserve Bank of Australia next week following a surprise inflation jump in the third quarter. Markets have almost fully priced in a hold at 3.60%, with rate futures showing less than a 7% chance of a cut at the November 4 meeting.

Trading Economics-


The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.14% to close at 4,087 on Thursday, breaking through record highs, supported by optimism over the newly agreed Korea-US trade and investment pact and solid corporate earnings. Seoul and Washington reached terms on a USD 350 billion investment package during the APEC summit, including a USD 200 billion in cash-based funding and USD 150 billion for shipbuilding projects. Tariffs on Korean autos were also reduced to 15% from 25%, easing potential losses for Hyundai and Kia. Foreign firms pledged a total of USD 9 billion in Korea’s strategic industries, reflecting confidence in its tech and manufacturing sectors. Adding to the upbeat tone, Samsung Electronics reported Q3 operating profit of KRW 12.2 trillion, citing strong memory and foundry demand amid AI expansion. Tech, auto, and shipbuilding stocks led the rally, with notable gains from Samsung Electronics (3.38%), SK Hynix (1.43%), Hyundai Motor (2.33%), Kia Corporation (0.35%), and Hanwha Ocean (6.44%).

Trading Economics-

The Bank of Japan kept its benchmark short-term rate unchanged at 0.5% in October 2025, maintaining borrowing costs at their highest level since 2008 and extending a pause since the last hike in January. The decision, in line with market expectations, was approved by a 7-2 vote, with board members Naoki Tamura and Hajime Takata again proposing a rise to 0.75%, as they had in September. The central bank reaffirmed its commitment to continue raising borrowing costs if the economy follows its projections. The move came hours after the U.S. Federal Reserve delivered its second rate cut of the year. In its quarterly outlook, the BoJ held core inflation for FY 2025 at 2.7%, expecting it to ease to 1.8% in FY 2026 before rising slightly to 2.0% in FY 2027. GDP growth for FY 2025 was revised up to 0.7% from 0.6%, supported by a trade deal with Washington and new leadership under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, while GDP projections for FY 2026 and 2027 remained at 0.7% and 1%, respectively.

Trading Economics-


New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index rose 0.4% to close at 13,459 on Thursday, extending gains to reach its highest level in nearly three weeks. The local market tracked gains in most Asian equities after the US Federal Reserve delivered a widely expected 25bps rate cut. However, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that this may be the final reduction this year due to lack of data amid the ongoing government shutdown. Top gainers included Fisher & Paykel (+0.9%), Fletcher Building (+1.6%), Ryman Healthcare (+0.7%), Argosy Property (+2.0%), and Channel Infrastructure (+2.7%).

Trading Economics-

The Nikkei 225 Index edged up 0.04% to close at 51,326 while the broader Topix Index advanced 0.69% to 3,301 on Thursday, with Japanese shares hitting fresh record highs after the Bank of Japan held rates steady despite two dissenting votes. The central bank kept its policy rate unchanged at 0.5%, as expected, in a 7-2 decision, with board members Naoki Tamura and Hajime Takata again pushing for a hike to 0.75%. Markets remain uncertain about a potential move in December as the BOJ maintained a cautious stance, while new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi continues to favor loose monetary policy. Among individual movers, chip-testing equipment maker Advantest hit new record highs after raising its annual profit outlook on strong demand. Semiconductor giant Lasertec soared over 20% ahead of its earnings release, while other notable gainers included Kioxia Holdings (8.1%), Fujikura (3.5%), Tokyo Electron (1.5%), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (12%), and NEC Corp (13.2%).

Trading Economics-


The Shanghai Composite fell 0.73% to close at 3,987 while the Shenzhen Component dropped 1.16% to 13,532 on Thursday,Tech and AI-related stocks led the losses as traders took profits, with Eoptolink Technology, Zhongji Innolight, Foxconn Industrial, Victory Giant, and Cambricon Technologies sliding between 1.2% and 7.9%.

Trading Economics-


China has allocated a total of 500 billion yuan (USD 70.56 billion) through a new policy-based financial instrument to boost investment, the country’s major policy banks announced on Thursday, according to Xinhua. The China Development Bank, the Export-Import Bank of China, and the Agricultural Development Bank of China allocated 250 billion yuan, 100 billion yuan, and 150 billion yuan, respectively, to support the construction of projects in key areas and address weak links in the economy. The initiative is expected to stimulate more than 7 trillion yuan in investment, according to the policy banks’ statistics. The financial instrument prioritizes projects in technological innovation, consumption expansion, and foreign trade stabilization, while also supporting initiatives in major economic provinces and private investment projects.

(QNA)-

The net profit of Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance Company (a Qatari public shareholding company) jumped by 102.45% in the first nine months of 2025, reaching QR 93.083 million, compared to QR 45.976 million.

Data released by the company and published on the Qatar Stock Exchange website on Thursday showed an increase in earnings per share to QR 0.106 for the period ending Sept. 30, 2025, compared to QR 0.053 for the same period of 2024.

(QNA)-


Qatar Central Bank (QCB) has issued treasury bills worth QAR 250 million with maturities of 28 days, 98 days, 182 days, 273 days, and 364 days.

QCB announced in a post on its social media platform "X" on Thursday that the issuances were distributed as follows: QAR 50 million for a 28-day term (Tap issuance) with an interest rate of 4.060 percent; QAR 50 million for a 98-day term (Tap issuance) with an interest rate of 3.960 percent; QAR 50 million for a 182-day term (Tap issuance) with an interest rate of 3.860 percent; QAR 50 million for a 273-day term (New issuance) with an interest rate of 3.770 percent; and QAR 50 million for a 364-day term (New issuance) with an interest rate of 3.710 percent.

QCB also noted that the total bids for treasury bills amounted to QAR 1.11 billion.

(QNA)-


Gulf International Services net profit increased by 0.2 percent during the first nine months of 2025, reaching QAR 573.6 million, compared to QAR 572.57 million during the same period in 2024.
The company indicated in a statement published by the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) on Thursday that earnings per share rose to QAR 0.309 for the period ending Sep. 30, 2025, compared to QAR 0.308 for the same period in 2024.

Trading Economics-


The S&P/TSX Composite rose about 0.3% to above the 30,145 mark on Thursday, as strength among major miners offset firmer central-bank signals. The Bank of Canada and the Federal Reserve each cut rates by 25 basis points, with the BoC framing its move as likely the end of easing if the outlook holds, while the Fed downplayed the odds of further reductions in December. Agnico Eagle led the rally, climbing more than 3% after reporting Q3 EPS of $2.16 (beating estimates by $0.21) and revenue of $3.06bn versus $2.95bn expected. Peers Wheaton Precious and Barrick added nearly 3% and 2.5%, respectively, and financials and tech also traded higher. However, copper names lagged after metal prices slipped, Ivanhoe fell over 4.5%, First Quantum about 4% and Teck roughly 2%. On the trade front, reports of a limited US–China tariff rollback tied to resumed soybean purchases and eased rare-earth restrictions trimmed safe-haven demand, though markets remain sceptical about the durability of any truce.

Trading Economics-


The Ibovespa inched higher to trade above 148,000 on Thursday amid a busy day of mixed earnings reports from major companies. Ambev jumped nearly 4% after reporting a net profit of R$4.86 billion in Q3, up 36.4% from a year earlier. Multiplan rose 0.8% ahead of its results, which are expected to show stronger revenue, after announcing two expansion projects worth R$65 million at Barra Shopping and BH Shopping. Bradesco fell over 3% despite an 18.8% increase in recurring net profit, as results came in below bullish expectations. JPMorgan said investors had anticipated a profit closer to R$6.5 billion and noted that higher “other expenses” and additional labor provisions offset solid pre-tax results. Gerdau, set to report later in the day, slipped 1.1%.

Trading Economics-


The European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged for a third consecutive meeting in October, signaling confidence in a resilient eurozone economy and easing inflation pressures. The main refinancing rate remained at 2.15%, while the deposit facility rate stayed at 2.0%. The ECB noted that inflation remains close to its 2% medium-term target, and the Governing Council’s assessment of the inflation outlook is broadly unchanged. The economy has continued to expand despite a challenging global environment, supported by a robust labor market, solid private-sector balance sheets, and the impact of previous rate cuts, which together underpin the region’s resilience. However, the economic outlook remains uncertain, particularly due to persistent global trade disputes and geopolitical tensions. Policymakers also said they will continue to follow a data-dependent, meeting-by-meeting approach in setting monetary policy.

Trading Economics-


Both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 closed 0.2% lower on Thursday as investors weighed central bank actions, corporate earnings, and mixed economic data. The ECB kept rates unchanged for a third consecutive meeting, noting that the inflation outlook remains broadly stable, while the Fed cut rates again but cautioned that further easing in December is not guaranteed. On the data front, Eurozone GDP grew 0.2% in Q3, exceeding expectations, though performance across major economies was uneven, with France and Spain posting strong growth, while Germany and Italy stagnated. Among corporates, Schneider Electric fell 3.9% despite higher Q3 revenues and confirming its 2025 outlook, as organic growth and margin improvements are expected toward the lower half of the range. Banco Santander dropped 1.7% on slightly missed EPS, and BBVA fell 1.5% on lower profits. ING surged 5.5% with net profit above expectations, while Airbus gained 2.5%, reporting a solid Q3 and maintaining its 2025 guidance.