Market Euphoria: Asia Stocks Rise Amid Rate Cuts and Trade Talks

On Thursday, Asian stocks rallied after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates and as U.S. and Chinese leaders met to negotiate a trade deal. Meanwhile, the yen weakened when the Bank of Japan maintained its interest rate stance. MSCI's index of Asia-Pacific shares climbed 0.4%, while U.S. S&P 500 futures inched up post a recent Wall Street dip.

Central banks globally are in the decision-making spotlight, hinting at future interest rate paths amidst U.S.'s broad tariffs on imports. Fred Neumann of HSBC suggests a potential December hike from the BOJ, which for now kept rates steady, dampening the yen's earlier gains against the dollar.

U.S. President Trump and China's Xi Jinping met amidst trade tensions, even as the Federal Reserve's rate cut prompted speculation around subsequent movements. Market expectations for a December Fed rate cut have diminished, as reflected in futures trading, with investors wary of looming uncertainties, including weak economic data from a U.S. government shutdown.