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NewsOct 29, 2026 · 17:45 IST

Bank of Canada Raises Policy Rate to 2.50% as Inflation Risks Persist

The Bank of Canada increased its overnight policy rate by 25 basis points to 2.50% on 28 October 2026, with the Bank Rate at 2.75% and deposit rate at 2.45%. The central bank said more persistent price pressures and higher energy costs warranted tightening. It forecast inflation averaging 3% in 2027 before returning to 2% around mid-2028.

NewsOct 29, 2026 · 17:27 IST

Federal Reserve Holds Rates at 3.75%–4.00% as Two Officials Seek a Hike

The Federal Open Market Committee left its target range unchanged at 3.75%–4.00% on 28 October 2026 by a 10–2 vote. Reuters reported that policymakers described economic growth as strong, while inflation remained elevated. Lisa Cook and Beth Hammack dissented in favour of a 25-basis-point increase. The decision and accompanying remarks left markets reassessing the likelihood of a December rate rise.

NewsOct 23, 2026 · 17:38 IST

EU Ministers Seek China Import Deals to Address Growing Trade Imbalance

European Union trade ministers said on 23 October 2026 that the bloc should seek agreements with China to limit import pressure in sectors including chemicals, machinery and pharmaceuticals. Reuters reported an EU goods-trade deficit of more than €370 billion in 2025, with a larger gap projected for 2026. Officials described the competitive pressure on European producers as China Shock 2.0. The ministers favoured dialogue with Beijing, but no new sector-specific agreement or import restriction was announced at the meeting.

NewsOct 23, 2026 · 17:26 IST

Smith & Nephew–J&J Orthopaedics Merger Talks Collapse Over Leadership Dispute, FT Reports

Advanced discussions to merge Smith & Nephew with Johnson & Johnson’s orthopaedics division broke down over leadership of the proposed combined business, the Financial Times reported on 23 October, according to Reuters. The parties were said to have agreed on the principal financial terms and transaction structure, but Smith & Nephew sought to retain CEO Deepak Nath while J&J favoured Namal Nawana. Reuters reported the J&J hip-and-knee unit could have been valued at as much as $22 billion in the contemplated transaction. Smith & Nephew declined comment, and J&J had not provided confirmation in the report. No merger agreement had been signed or officially terminated.

NewsOct 23, 2026 · 17:20 IST

Malaysia and Thailand Join Singapore’s BLOOM Cross-Border Digital Settlement Initiative

The Monetary Authority of Singapore announced on 23 October 2026 that Bank Negara Malaysia and the Bank of Thailand had joined the BLOOM initiative as policymaker members. The three authorities will work with banks, payments networks and technology companies on interoperability, cross-border acceptance and settlement involving digital money, including tokenised deposits and regulated stablecoins. New industry participants include Mastercard, Ripple and Visa, alongside the World Bank Group. The announcement concerns policy collaboration and implementation frameworks, not a completed cross-border settlement deployment or a new retail central bank digital currency launch.

NewsOct 23, 2026 · 15:07 IST

Eurozone Growth Slows to Four-Month Low as October Composite PMI Falls to 51.9

The flash eurozone composite PMI eased to 51.9 in October from 53.1 in September, the slowest expansion in four months. France returned to contraction while energy and transportation costs increased pressure on businesses. Employment gains slowed, and company confidence weakened.

NewsOct 23, 2026 · 15:02 IST

German Private-Sector Growth Slows as October Composite PMI Falls to 52.8

Germany’s flash composite PMI eased to 52.8 in October from 53.8 in September, remaining in expansion territory. Manufacturing PMI advanced to 54.2, while services PMI eased to 51.7 from 52.9. The release suggests weaker overall growth even as factory activity remained relatively resilient.

NewsOct 23, 2026 · 14:56 IST

French Private Sector Contracts as October Composite PMI Falls to 48.4

France’s flash composite PMI dropped to 48.4 in October from 51.1 in September, slipping below the 50 threshold for contraction. Flash services PMI came in at 48.4 versus 50.7 expected, while manufacturing PMI was 49.3 versus 50.5 expected. Survey respondents pointed to weaker demand amid political and financial uncertainty.

NewsOct 23, 2026 · 14:51 IST

UK Business Activity Hits Eight-Month High as October Composite PMI Rises to 53.1

S&P Global reported that the UK flash composite PMI rose to 53.1 in October from 52.0 in September, its strongest pace since February. New orders and employment improved, including the first rise in staffing since changes to employer payroll taxation in 2024, while input costs remained elevated.

NewsOct 23, 2026 · 14:48 IST

Taiwan Warns Chinese Maritime Militia Activity Is Expanding into Western Pacific

Taiwan’s Coast Guard said on 23 October that China was deploying maritime militia vessels alongside coast guard and research ships in what it called expanded battlefield preparation around Taiwan and the western Pacific. Officials described an August 16 incident involving a suspected militia boat, Minfudingyu 07902, that approached within approximately 2.7 nautical miles outside Taiwan’s restricted waters. Taiwan said the activity also increased pressure on Japan and the Philippines. These are attributed Taiwanese assessments, not independently verified evidence of an imminent military operation.

NewsOct 23, 2026 · 12:41 IST

Singapore Exchange CEO Calls for Succession Planning Ahead of 2027 Contract Expiry

Singapore Exchange CEO Loh Boon Chye said at the company's annual general meeting that the exchange should plan for a leadership transition as his current contract approaches expiry in July 2027. Loh has led SGX since July 2015. His comments were about succession preparedness; no departure date, replacement or final leadership decision was announced. The issue comes as SGX continues to develop its securities, derivatives and foreign-exchange businesses.

NewsOct 23, 2026 · 12:36 IST

SK Hynix Halts Solidigm US IPO Review Amid Chip-Market Volatility

SK Hynix said on 23 October 2026 that Solidigm, its US-based memory and storage subsidiary, has discontinued the review of potential pre-IPO fundraising and a US initial public offering. The company cited capital-market conditions and share-price trends, saying the move does not change Solidigm's investment needs or growth outlook. SK Hynix continues to assess alternative funding for US production capacity. The announcement follows volatility in semiconductor shares and concerns about duplicate listings; SK Hynix did not identify regulatory objections as the direct cause of its decision.