The dollar index was little changed around 99.6 on Tuesday, moving sideways so far this week as investors awaited progress on ending the record-long US government shutdown. The Senate advanced a measure to reopen the federal government and end the 40-day shutdown, narrowly securing the 60 votes needed. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the bill could pass the House as soon as Wednesday and be sent to President Donald Trump to sign. Meanwhile, data last week showed that the US economy shed jobs in October, while consumer sentiment weakened to a 3-½-year low in early November, supporting bets for a near-term Federal Reserve rate cut. Traders currently see about a 64% chance of a 25-basis-point Fed cut in December, while Fed Governor Stephen Miran has called for a larger half-point reduction amid falling inflation and rising unemployment.

FKLCI increased to 1643.00 Index Points, the highest since October 2024. Over the past 4 weeks, FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Index gained 1.62%, and in the last 12 months, it increased 2.04%.

The longest U.S. government shutdown in history could end this week after the Senate advanced a compromise deal late Sunday to restore federal funding, Reuters reported. A majority of senators voted Monday to approve legislation to end the record 41-day shutdown, with voting still underway. The agreement would reopen agencies closed since October 1, bringing relief to low-income families affected by disrupted food aid, hundreds of thousands of unpaid federal workers, and travelers hit by thousands of canceled flights. The deal would keep the government funded through January 30, while adding about USD 1.8 trillion annually to its USD 38 trillion debt. President Donald Trump’s Republicans hold majorities in both chambers of Congress, but Democrats used the Senate’s 60-vote rule to push for an extension of health insurance subsidies for 24 million Americans. The compromise also sets up a December vote on that measure.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s (RBNZ) quarterly survey of expectations showed that business managers forecast inflation at 2.28% for the next two years in Q4 2025, unchanged from the previous three-month period. Meanwhile, one-year inflation expectations edged up slightly to 2.39% from 2.37%, suggesting that price pressures are expected to stay contained in the near term. Longer-term views were mixed, with five-year-ahead inflation expectations easing to 2.22% from 2.26%, while ten-year expectations inched higher to 2.18% from 2.15%. In terms of monetary policy, respondents now expect the Official Cash Rate (OCR) to stand at 2.25% by the end of December 2025, notably lower than the 3.02% forecast in the previous quarter, before rising modestly to 2.31% by September 2026. The adjustment follows the RBNZ’s recent decision to cut the OCR by 50 basis points to 2.50% on 8 October 2025.

New car sales in Indonesia fell 4.4% year-on-year to 74,019 units in October 2025, a much smaller decline than the 15.1% drop recorded in September. While this marked the sixth consecutive month of decline, it was the softest pace in the sequence, with sales volume the highest since December last year. During the January–October period, car sales decreased 10.6% compared to the same period in 2024, totaling 635,844 units. The Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries (GAIKINDO) projects that 2025 car sales will reach between 850,000 and 900,000 units, with a potential downside of around 750,000 units. On a monthly basis, car sales surged 19.2% in October, accelerating sharply from a 0.5% increase in September. This marked the fourth consecutive monthly rise, following a cumulative 150-basis-point interest rate cut by the central bank since September 2024, which brought rates to their lowest level since 2022.

RBNZ survey points to one more cut, then extended hold through 2026.The latest RBNZ Survey of Expectations showed the mean one-year-ahead inflation expectation edging up slightly to 2.39% from 2.37%. Two-year expectation stayed unchanged at 2.28%.

Rupee to draw support from Trump's trade optimism, curbed by firm dollar.The Indian rupee is likely to open slightly higher on Tuesday, with upbeat comments from U.S. President Donald Trump on a potential trade deal lending support, though a mostly firm dollar and hedging demand are expected to hinder.

Gold rose above $4,130 on Tuesday, hitting a three-week high as growing economic uncertainty in the US fueled expectations for a near-term Federal Reserve rate cut. Last week’s data showed job losses in October, particularly in government and retail sectors, while consumer sentiment fell to a 3½-year low in early November. Traders are pricing in about a 64% chance of a 25-basis-point Fed cut in December, with Fed Governor Stephen Miran advocating a larger half-point reduction amid falling inflation and rising unemployment. Meanwhile, the US Senate advanced a measure to reopen the federal government after a 40-day shutdown, potentially reducing safe-haven demand for gold. Elsewhere, JP Morgan Private Bank projected that gold could surpass $5,000 per ounce next year, largely supported by central bank buying in emerging markets.

Brent crude futures held around $64 per barrel on Tuesday, trading sideways so far this week as investors awaited key industry reports amid growing concerns of a potential global supply surplus. OPEC is set to release its monthly market outlook on Wednesday, alongside the International Energy Agency’s annual outlook report. Oil prices have recently come under pressure as global supply is expected to outpace demand, with OPEC and allies, including Russia, easing output curbs while non-OPEC producers added barrels. Meanwhile, Russia’s top oil firms, Rosneft PJSC and Lukoil PJSC, face US sanctions linked to the Ukraine conflict, with Lukoil reportedly declaring force majeure on shipments from its West Qurna 2 field in Iraq. Elsewhere, US President Donald Trump said a trade deal with India is getting closer as New Delhi reduces Russian oil purchases.

WTI crude futures held around $60 per barrel on Tuesday, trading sideways so far this week as investors awaited key industry reports amid growing concerns of a potential global supply surplus. OPEC is set to release its monthly market outlook on Wednesday, alongside the International Energy Agency’s annual outlook report. Oil prices have recently come under pressure as global supply is expected to outpace demand, with OPEC and allies, including Russia, easing output curbs while non-OPEC producers added barrels. Meanwhile, Russia’s top oil firms, Rosneft PJSC and Lukoil PJSC, face US sanctions linked to the Ukraine conflict, with Lukoil reportedly declaring force majeure on shipments from its West Qurna 2 field in Iraq. Elsewhere, US President Donald Trump said a trade deal with India is getting closer as New Delhi reduces Russian oil purchases.

Japanese Yen weakens on BoJ rate hike uncertainty and US shutdown resolution hopes.Japanese Yen weakens on BoJ rate hike uncertainty and US shutdown resolution hopes

Oil and Natural Gas Technical Analysis: Crude Faces Resistance While Gas Extends Rally.Oil remains in a tight range as supply risks offset concerns about a surplus, natural gas exhibits bullish momentum despite overbought signals, and the U.S. dollar index nears resistance with a potential pullback.

The Nikkei 225 Index rose 0.9% to above 51,300 while the broader Topix Index climbed 0.8% to 3,343 on Tuesday, extending gains from the previous session and following Wall Street higher amid a rebound in AI names and hopes for a potential US government reopening. Tech and AI-related shares led the advance, with Kioxia Holdings, SoftBank Group, Fujikura, Lasertec, and Hitachi climbing 2.3% to 5%. In corporate news, Honda Motor (-0.2%) cut its full-year profit forecast amid pressure from US tariffs and global chip shortages, while facing intensifying competition from Chinese electric vehicle makers. On the economic front, Japan recorded a record current account surplus of JPY 4.5 trillion in September as exports outpaced imports.

The AIB Ireland Construction PMI rose to 48.1 in September 2025, up from 45.9 in August, signaling the sixth consecutive monthly contraction in the sector. However, the latest reading indicated the mildest downturn since June, supported by a near-stabilisation in new orders. Housing and civil engineering activity continued to decline, with residential projects falling sharply — the fastest drop in two and a half years. Meanwhile, commercial activity rose slightly, marking its first increase in three months. In response to easing workloads, firms scaled back staffing levels, posting the first back-to-back reductions in employment since late 2022, while input buying declined for the fourth straight month. Lead times lengthened solidly, though to the least extent since May, amid higher fuel costs. On prices, input cost inflation accelerated, driven by rising fuel and raw material prices. Finally, sentiment improved to a four-month high, supported by expectations of stronger new orders.

Australia’s NAB Business Confidence Index edged down to 6 in October 2025 from 7 in the previous month, though it remained above the long-run average. Meantime, business conditions improved slightly (9 vs 8 in September), supported by stronger sales (19 vs 14) and profitability (9 vs 6), while employment remained unchanged (at 3). Simultaneously, price pressures eased, with purchase costs rising at a quarterly rate of 1% and labour costs at 1.5%. The capacity utilisation rate also inched up to 83.4% from 83.3%, indicating activity levels remain high. NAB Chief Economist Sally Auld said the continued strength in business conditions shows the economy has maintained the momentum built since late 2024. However, she noted that growth is occurring amid limited spare capacity, with high utilisation and persistent wage and margin pressures still weighing on confidence.

New Zealand RBNZ Inflation Expectations (QoQ) remains at 2.28% in 4Q.New Zealand RBNZ Inflation Expectations (QoQ) remains at 2.28% in 4Q

Japan’s current account surplus surged to a record high of JPY 4,483.3 billion in September 2025 from JPY 1,537.4 billion in the same month a year earlier, surpassing market consensus of a gain of JPY 2,468 billion. The goods account shifted to a surplus of JPY 236.0 billion from a shortfall of 362.1 billion in the previous year, as exports (8.6%) grew much faster than imports (1.7%). Meanwhile, the primary income surplus widened to JPY 4,949.7 billion from 2,715.3 billion, reflecting higher returns from overseas investments. At the same time, the services account deficit narrowed to JPY 214.6 billion from JPY 313.7 billion, while the secondary income deficit was down to JPY 487.8 billion from 502.1 billion.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index rose 0.2% to above 8,850 on Tuesday, climbing for the second straight session after Wall Street rallied overnight on the back of a rebound in AI names and hopes that the prolonged US government shutdown may soon end. In Australia, a private survey showed consumer sentiment jumped 12.8% month-on-month in November, the strongest increase in years amid clearer signs of economic recovery and easing external risks. Financial stocks led gains, with ANZ Group, Westpac Banking, and Macquarie Group climbing 1% to 1.5%, though Commonwealth Bank dropped 4.5% after disappointing quarterly results. Resource stocks also continued to rally on stronger underlying prices, including Lynas Rare Earths (1.3%), Pilbara Minerals (5.1%), Northern Star Resources (4%), and Woodside Energy (1%).

Australia Westpac consumer confidence surges to 103.8, marking end of prolonged pessimism.Australian consumer confidence jumped sharply in November, marking a clear break from years of pessimism. The Westpac Consumer Sentiment Index rose 12.8% mom to 103.8, its first positive reading since early 2022 and the highest in seven years, excluding the brief COVID-era spike.

UK retail sales rose 1.5% year-on-year on a like-for-like basis in October 2025, easing from 2% in September to the weakest pace in five months as consumers delayed purchases ahead of Black Friday and potential budget tax hikes. Food sales growth slowed to 3.5% from 4.3% as households began saving for the holidays, while non-food sales inched up just 0.1% amid mild weather and anticipation of Black Friday discounts on November 28. Helen Dickinson, BRC chief executive, said retailers are relying on Black Friday for a crucial boost, warning that looming fiscal decisions could dampen already fragile consumer sentiment. She noted that many shoppers postponed buying toys, electronics, and clothing until deals and colder weather arrive, though furniture and homeware performed better as people prepared for festive gatherings.

Australia’s Westpac-Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index surged 12.8% mom in November 2025 to 103.8, the first time above the 100 mark since February 2022. Excluding the COVID disruptions in 2020 and 2021, the latest reading was the most positive result in seven years amid clearer signs of economic recovery and easing external risks.

WTI declines below $60.00 on firmer US Dollar.WTI declines below $60.00 on firmer US Dollar

US stock futures were little changed on Tuesday after Wall Street opened the week with solid gains, fueled by optimism that the US government shutdown may soon end. In regular trading on Monday, the Dow rose 0.81%, the S&P 500 climbed 1.54% and the Nasdaq Composite rallied 2.27%. Technology names tied to artificial intelligence led the rally with Nvidia (5.8%), Palantir (8.8%), AMD (4.5%), and Micron (6.5%) among the biggest gainers as dip buyers stepped in. The Senate advanced a procedural measure bringing a funding bill to end the 40-day shutdown closer to approval, with eight Democrats breaking ranks to support it, though the bill still awaits a House vote. In after-hours trading, Paramount Skydance gained over 5% after announcing new layoffs and price hikes for its streaming service Paramount+. Rocket Lab and RealReal also rallied 7% and 16%, respectively, on strong quarterly results.

Japan's Kiuchi: Weak Yen raises prices via increased import costs.Japan's Kiuchi: Weak Yen raises prices via increased import costs

Japan economy minister Kuichi says the weak yen is pushing up prices, higher import costs.Japan's Economy Minister Kiuchi said the government is increasingly aware that elevated inflation is eroding household purchasing power, noting that the weak yen continues to push up import costs and consumer prices.

Colombia’s annual inflation rate climbed to 5.51% in October 2025 from 5.18% in September, marking the highest level in 13 months and reinforcing the central bank’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged. Inflation remained well above the central bank's 3% target, putting the country on course to miss its goal for a fifth consecutive year. Price gains were driven mainly by culture & leisure and health categories. The central bank held its policy rate at 9.25% in October, maintaining that level all year except for one cut in April, as officials weighed persistent inflation risks against resilient economic data. Some policymakers even suggested rate hikes could be warranted if inflation pressures intensify. Month-over-month, consumer prices increased 0.18%, easing from a 0.32% rise in September but exceeding forecasts of 0.13%.

Australian October business confidence dipped to 6 (prior 7).Australian business conditions improved in October, suggesting the economy is maintaining solid momentum despite elevated capacity pressures and cautious central bank policy.

Senegal’s annual inflation rate slowed for the first time in three months to 1.9% in October 2025, down from 2.6% in September, which had marked the highest level since March 2024. It was also the lowest rate since July, mainly reflecting a moderation in food prices, which rose 3.2%, down from 4.9% in September, marking the softest increase in three months. Price growth also slowed for clothing and footwear (0.6% vs 0.7%), while inflation accelerated for transport (2.9% vs 2.5%), housing and utilities (1.3% vs 1.0%), healthcare (2.4% vs 2.1%), restaurants (2.7% vs 2.2%), furnishings (3.2% vs 2.5%), and alcoholic beverages and tobacco (11.4% vs 8.4%). In contrast, prices in the information and communication sector continued to decline (-1.6% vs -3.2%). Excluding energy and fresh products, the core index climbed 4.6% yoy, easing from a 4.8% rise in September. On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell 0.2% in October, the first drop in six months, reversing a 1.3% increase in September.

Australia National Australia Bank's Business Confidence: 6 (October) vs previous 7.Australia National Australia Bank's Business Confidence: 6 (October) vs previous 7

Australia National Australia Bank's Business Conditions climbed from previous 8 to 9 in October.Australia National Australia Bank's Business Conditions climbed from previous 8 to 9 in October