Asian stocks dip, bonds in focus after torrid September By Reuters

• S&P Global and Crisil reported on Wednesday that foreign capital inflows into India decreased during the 2025-26 fiscal year despite strong economic growth. • Net foreign portfolio inflows dropped by 16.6 percent, while net foreign direct investment stood at $7.8 billion compared to gross inflows of $94.5 billion.

• Most Asian stock markets trended positive today, though markets in China and Hong Kong remained closed for a holiday. • India's Sensex index declined by 0.2 percent to reach the 72,314 point level.

• India's factory growth reached a seven-month high recently due to a surge in demand, according to the latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) data. • The PMI report indicates that manufacturing activity expanded more rapidly than in the previous six months.

• US stocks rose on Thursday as gains in software shares offset concerns over government debt and inflation. • The US Treasury announced it will buy up to $6 billion of debt maturing in 10 to 20 years during an October 1 liquidity buyback.

• The Nasdaq rose on September 30, 2026, as the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge showed softer-than-expected annual inflation for August. • Private sector employment grew by 90,000 in September, exceeding the Dow Jones consensus estimate of 68,000.

• The U.S. private sector added 90,000 jobs in September alongside strong pay growth. • The Northeastern United States led regional growth by accounting for 56,000 of the new positions.

• Recent US inflation data and second-quarter GDP reports have increased the likelihood that the Federal Reserve will avoid raising interest rates in October. • Market traders now estimate a 35% chance of a rate hike, a decrease from the 45% probability seen after pressure from the White House.

• BNP Paribas Asset Management reports that Europe is currently navigating a period of mounting economic and geopolitical challenges. • The region is struggling with a heavy dependency on fossil fuels, cooling trade relations with the United States, and rising competition from Chinese manufacturing.

• Increased European defense spending is supporting the struggling oil refining sector as geopolitical tensions drive up fuel demand. • VAROPreem CEO reports that this surge in military requirements is propping up a refining industry that has otherwise been shrinking.

• India's finance ministry projected economic growth of 7.3% for the second quarter of fiscal year 2027 in its Monthly Economic Review released Thursday. • The report stated that policymakers must ensure the economy is more competition-friendly rather than just business-friendly to maintain growth.

• Asian equity markets rallied on October 1, led by a surge in Japan's Nikkei 225 and gains in South Korea and Taiwan. • Micron Technology reported that customer financial commitments under long-term supply agreements rose to $32 billion from $22 billion in June.