ECONOMIC DATA
Why does Pakistan keep getting IMF bailouts despite terrorism allegations? Gita Gopinath explains
Why does the IMF continue to bail out Pakistan despite its repeated borrowing history and terrorism-related allegations? Former IMF deputy managing director Gita Gopinath explains who decides lending approvals, why economic distress matters and how member countries exercise voting power. Here's a look at Pakistan's 25 IMF arrangements and the world's biggest borrowers.
China, Hong Kong stocks edge higher as Beijing vows measures to stabilise markets
Chinese and Hong Kong stocks edged higher as Beijing renewed its commitment to stabilising capital markets amid economic concerns. Major mainland indices posted modest gains, while the Hang Seng also advanced. However, weak domestic demand, cooling consumer inflation and global technology-sector volatility continued to challenge investor confidence and market recovery prospects.
Japan's Yen intervention hits record $50 billion in single day in July
Japan spent a record $50.36 billion in a single day in July to strengthen the yen, which had fallen to a 40-year low against the dollar. It conducted interventions worth $97.19 billion overall, including coordinated action with the US and South Korea, highlighting growing concerns over continued currency weakness.
US dollar holds onto payrolls gains, NZ dollar rises after election
Dollar index steadies at 102.20 after jumping about 0.7% Friday * Fed hike bets rekindled after receding amid AI stock selloff * NZ ballot too close to call, leader will not be known for weeks TOKYO
Gold, silver prices may sway with US-Iran tensions
As the US-Iran conflict and crude oil pricing remain in focus, bullion prices are set to encounter downward pressure. Key economic data releases from China, the US, Germany, Japan, and India will significantly impact inflation and interest rate expectations. Market watchers will be attentive to Federal Reserve remarks and US job market indicators for cues on trends.
Anthropic wants to create new billionaires through its IPO, but American voters are growing tired of Big Tech's wealth explosion
Anthropic is preparing for a significant IPO amid growing public resistance to AI-related infrastructure projects. Investors are discussing a valuation between $1 trillion and $1.5 trillion for the Nasdaq listing. Communities express concerns over environmental impacts and rising electricity costs linked to data centres. Public sentiment is shifting against technology companies, raising questions about economic benefits versus local costs.
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AI to boost industrial robotics growth, but manufacturers may benefit less than customers: S&P Global
Artificial intelligence is anticipated to significantly enhance the long-term prospects of industrial robotics and automation. Manufacturers may experience reduced benefits compared to their customers, as equipment utilization increases. Global industrial robot installations have increased markedly, driven by labour shortages and productivity needs. AI improvements are projected to further expand automation capabilities before achieving full autonomy. However, the overall impact on manufacturers' profits remains uncertain due to competitive market dynamics.

NY Fed's John Williams flags need to gather more information on inflation risks before rate decisions
Federal Reserve officials John Williams and Alberto Musalem have flagged persistent inflation risks, with rapid AI infrastructure investment potentially adding to price pressures. Williams backed the need for more economic data before determining monetary policy, while Musalem warned that policymakers must address current inflation rather than wait for future AI-driven productivity gains.

Federal Reserve rate hike bets strengthen as US jobs growth beats estimates
Stronger than expected US jobs growth has revived expectations of a December Federal Reserve rate hike, with employers adding 165,000 jobs in October against estimates of 65,000. The unemployment rate fell to 4.1%, while markets raised the probability of a quarter point hike to 85% and brought forward expectations of another increase.

Rich countries benefitted more from COVID-19 vaccine's return on investment than poor ones: Study
COVID-19 vaccines generated economic benefits worth USD 60 to USD 809 for every dollar invested in their development and distribution, a global study of 173 countries has found. However, high-income countries gained more due to earlier access and faster rollouts, while delayed vaccine availability limited benefits in poorer nations.

Bitcoin falls over 5% in a day to $76,000 as US tech and AI stock selloff triggers fresh crypto market weakness
Bitcoin plunged over 5% to $76,006 as weakness in US technology stocks triggered widespread crypto selling. More than $1.1 billion in leveraged positions were liquidated, intensifying bearish sentiment across major cryptocurrencies.

AI rout, energy costs add to fears of slowing global growth
Global markets face mounting pressure from persistent inflation, rising borrowing costs and concerns over slowing economic growth. Elevated energy and food prices are fuelling inflation fears, while an AI stock selloff threatens investor confidence. Weakening European data and uncertainty over the Iran war are adding to concerns about the global economic outlook.

Delhi pollution: Supreme Court to go by expert opinion on plea for online classes if AQI rises
Supreme Court is evaluating expert opinions concerning potential school closures amid worsening air quality in Delhi-NCR. The average Air Quality Index has been categorized as 'very poor', with severe pollution levels reported in many areas. Authorities have noted that vehicular emissions significantly contribute to the region's pollution crisis. The implementation of measures, including truck-mounted water sprinklers, is part of the effort to improve air quality.

US stocks suffer worst rout since 2020: Dow plunges 1,800 points, Nasdaq crashes 5.5% as AI fears wipe out $3 trillion
Wall Street experienced a major selloff in technology stocks following recent midterm election outcomes. The Nasdaq Composite recorded its steepest decline in 19 months, while the S&P 500 also fell sharply. Investors are worried about potential regulations impacting AI infrastructure growth amid increasing political resistance. Major chipmakers, including Nvidia, saw significant losses alongside other AI-related companies. Analysts are closely monitoring upcoming economic data to gauge the Federal Reserve's actions.

Why did US stocks crash? Trump blames Democrats as AI regulation fears rattle markets
Donald Trump blamed the Democrats' midterm election gains for Wall Street's sharp selloff, as concerns over potential curbs on AI investments rattled technology stocks. Uncertainty surrounding data centre expansion and regulatory scrutiny added to investor anxiety.

OpenAI kicks off charm offensive to change voters' view of data centers
Stunning victories by Democrats in US midterm elections this week have been interpreted by many as Americans repudiating tech industry plans to build data centers across the country.

Big tech, green groups in talks over data center guardrails
The "Responsible Data Center Collaborative" counts Google, Meta, Microsoft, Oracle, Amazon, Nvidia and Anthropic among its members, alongside environmental stalwarts the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Sierra Club.

US midterm results threaten data center boom as AI backlash grows
US midterm election results have raised fresh concerns over the future of America's data centre boom, with Democratic victories in Texas and Georgia strengthening opposition to new projects. Investors fear tighter regulations, construction moratoriums and reduced tax incentives could disrupt AI infrastructure spending, putting nearly 45% of planned US capacity at risk.

Eurozone bond yields edge lower as oil prices stabilise, ECB rate bets ease
Eurozone government bond yields edged lower as oil prices stabilised and investors assessed easing geopolitical risks following US midterm elections. However, rising inflation, potential ECB rate hikes and political uncertainty in France continued to shape market sentiment and influence European debt markets.

Democratic victories threaten to slow US data-centre expansion, ease bond yields: ICICI Bank report
The US midterm election results have put 141 GW of planned data-centre capacity at risk of tighter policy restrictions, potentially slowing AI infrastructure investments, while supporting US Treasury bonds, according to an ICICI Bank report.

Cabinet approves VGF plan for grid-scale energy storage with Rs 14,500 crore support
The Union Cabinet has approved a significant ₹14,500 crore funding scheme to develop 92 GWh of energy storage capacity. This initiative supports both hydro pumped storage and battery energy storage systems aimed at accelerating renewable energy. Additionally, a scheme has been approved for processing critical minerals like lithium and nickel to reduce import dependency. The government aims to modernize its statistical system with a ₹4,371.10 crore scheme.

Donald Trump's midterm drubbing demonstrates the power of data center opponents
Democrat victories in recent midterm elections signal a shift in public sentiment regarding data centers and AI technology. Key races in Texas and Georgia brought significant wins for candidates opposing data center development. Analysts estimate that nearly half of planned US data center capacity could face new regulations and moratoriums. Concerns have emerged over potential slowdown effects on the AI and technology sectors as stocks decline.

US stock market stages big rally today: Why is Dow Jones surging? Dow jumps 1,100 points as S&P 500 and Nasdaq turn green, with healthcare stocks at the centre
US stock market today: US stocks rallied sharply on Wednesday after Democrats won control of Congress. The Dow Jones jumped 1,143 points, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also posted strong gains. Healthcare stocks attracted fresh buying, with Molina Healthcare, Centene and HCA Healthcare rising around 6% to 7%. Amazon and solar stocks also climbed, while Nvidia shares moved lower.

Bitcoin near $78,600, Ethereum at $2,300 as US midterm results put crypto regulation in focus
Bitcoin traded near $78,000 as institutional outflows and macroeconomic uncertainty kept sentiment cautious across the cryptocurrency market. Investors tracked US midterm election results, potential changes in crypto regulation, Federal Reserve rate expectations, and ETF flows for cues on the market's next move.

US Midterms: Exit polls reveal voter dissatisfaction with Trump administration as economic concerns dominate 2026 elections
Dissatisfaction with the country's direction is influencing voter sentiment ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Recent exit polls indicate three-quarters of voters feel unhappy with the current state of affairs. Economic concerns are a major source of voter frustration, especially regarding financial conditions. Democratic voters show particular anger about these issues, reflecting a broader mood of discontent. Overall, this growing economic dissatisfaction is shaping the upcoming electoral landscape.

US midterm election results cheer US bond yields, 10-year treasury note, yield on 30-year bond, two-year treasury yield jump on Tuesday
US midterm election 2026 results: 10-year TIPS breakeven rate was last at 2.305 per cent, indicating the market sees inflation averaging about 2.3 per cent a year for the next decade.

US Treasury yields climb as strong jobs data, midterm polls weigh; 10-year yield eyes 5% again
US Treasury yields climbed as stronger than expected September jobs data pointed to a resilient labour market, while investors awaited the midterm election results. Falling oil prices briefly eased pressure on bonds, but the move reversed as economic data reinforced growth expectations and uncertainty over future US fiscal policy kept investors cautious.

Goldman Sachs expects Bank of England to raise rates again in February
Goldman Sachs has revised its outlook on the Bank of England's interest rates, now predicting a possible quarter-point rise in November's monetary policy meeting. This would be the first increase since 2023, influenced by climbing energy costs and robust economic growth. Although immediate policy shifts are unlikely, the Bank will vigilantly observe inflation risks, maintaining rates at 4.25% through mid-next year.

US Midterm elections, Apple earnings, jobs data to test Wall Street after AI rout
Wall Street faces a pivotal week as US midterm elections, major corporate earnings and October jobs data test investor sentiment. Recent AI-led tech selloffs have heightened concerns over infrastructure spending and returns. Apple, AMD and Palantir results, alongside regulatory uncertainty and economic signals, could determine market direction and volatility.
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