{
  "id": 11091002,
  "title": "Asian stocks dip, bonds in focus after torrid September",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/asian-stocks-dip-bonds-in-focus-after-torrid-september-11091002",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-01T02:12:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/10/01/asian-stocks-dip-bonds-in-focus-after-torrid-september"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Asian stocks faltered and bonds faced increased scrutiny on Thursday, following a sluggish September. Investors are concerned about a slower-than-anticipated rise in US inflation in August, which could delay a potential rate hike later in the month. Despite Micron Technology's impressive earnings in the AI chip sector, the positive sentiment did not prevail across the region. The Japanese Nikkei index, however, saw a rise of over 1% thanks to chip-related stocks. Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures also gained 0.3%. European stock futures, on the other hand, experienced a decline of 0.75% during early trading. Charu Chanana, a chief investment strategist at Saxo, noted that while Micron's earnings highlight AI and memory demand, there is growing uncertainty about whether the market has reached a peak in memory shortages. The macroeconomic environment is becoming more complex. While US data is softening expectations for the Federal Reserve's actions, long-term yields remain elevated, keeping the cost-of-capital issue alive. In September, bond yields surged as energy costs drove inflation concerns and the AI boom fueled economic growth, leaving investors concerned about prolonged higher interest rates. The 10-year US Treasury yield rose to 5.306%, the highest since mid-June 2007, while the 30-year yield peaked at 5.634%, its highest level since June 2002. The focus is on how long US Treasury yields will stay above the psychologically significant 5% threshold. In the United States, the national debt has reached $40 trillion, and the fiscal outlook shows no signs of improvement. Darren Shames, Nomura's global head of rates sales, emphasizes that the 5% threshold alone does not convey much significance when considering the historical context. However, Shames believes that the rate increase's trajectory and speed are capturing investors' attention. Softer US inflation has tempered expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike on October 28. Traders now estimate a 38% chance of a rate hike this month, down from 50% the previous day. The Federal Reserve raised rates in September for the first time in three years, signaling more borrowing cost increases in the coming months. The odds of an October rate hike were also reduced due to New York Fed President John Williams' statement that he saw no urgency for further action. The US dollar remained near a two-month high, supported by high Treasury yields. The euro held steady at USD 1.1334 after slipping 2.5% last month, while the Japanese yen softened by 0.3% at 157.95 per dollar, after rising 1.5% in September. Some Bank of Japan policymakers suggested accelerating interest rate hikes, according to a summary of opinions from the September meeting. In commodities, oil prices were mostly flat as investors weighed the outcomes of US-Iran peace talks and the outlook for Middle East crude exports. Brent crude futures were at USD 98.15 per barrel, following a 14% surge last month, marking the third consecutive monthly gain.",
  "summary": "Blockbuster earnings from AI chipmaker Micron failed to lift the mood as stalling peace talks between the US and Iran kept oil prices elevated.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Economic Times - Top News",
        "title": "Can October turn the tide for Indian stocks after September rout?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/can-october-turn-the-tide-for-indian-stocks-after-september-rout",
        "published": "2026-10-01T00:02:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Asian stocks dip, bonds in focus after torrid September",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/asian-stocks-dip-bonds-in-focus-after-torrid-september-11090658",
        "published": "2026-10-01T02:12:11.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "Asian stocks dip, bonds in focus after torrid September",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/asian-stocks-dip-bonds-in-focus-after-torrid-september",
        "published": "2026-10-01T02:31:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Straits Times Business",
        "title": "Asian stocks dip, bonds in focus after torrid September",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/asian-stocks-dip-bonds-in-focus-after-torrid-september-11096492",
        "published": "2026-10-01T03:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Asian stocks dip, bonds in focus after torrid September",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/asian-stocks-dip-bonds-in-focus-after-torrid-september-11093992",
        "published": "2026-10-01T03:08:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Business Times - Companies & Markets",
        "title": "Asian stocks dip, bonds in focus after torrid September",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/asian-stocks-dip-bonds-in-focus-after-torrid-september-11095468",
        "published": "2026-10-01T03:18:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}