Global Finance and Inflation Market

• US Inflation Rebounds, Triggering 'Stock and Bond Collapse': The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the annual inflation rate for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in September rebounded to 3.7%, exceeding market expectations. Influenced by sticky inflation and rising energy costs due to geopolitical factors, markets are concerned that the Federal Reserve (Fed) might raise interest rates again by year-end. Consequently, Citibank revised its forecast, predicting a 25 basis point rate hike by the Fed in December. • AI Stocks Plunge, Market Cap Evaporates: Hit by inflation data and expectations of rising interest rates, which could increase borrowing costs, US AI concept stocks (such as CoreWeave, Dell, etc.) saw their market capitalization evaporate by approximately $80 billion in a single day. Saxo Bank and JPMorgan warned that the market's cost of capital is being repriced. • Taiwan Pledges Massive Purchase of US Alaskan Natural Gas: Former President Trump recently announced that Taiwan has agreed to purchase up to $70 billion to $80 billion worth of Alaskan liquefied natural gas (LNG) over the next 20 years and will invest $4.4 billion in equity. Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs confirmed this, stating it would help reduce reliance on Middle Eastern supplies and enhance energy resilience. • IMF Raises Asia-Pacific Economic Outlook, Predicts Japan to Fall to 6th Globally by 2027: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) today raised its economic growth forecast for the Asia-Pacific region in 2026 to 4.8%. However, another report indicated that due to a weak yen, Japan's nominal GDP is projected to be surpassed by both India and the UK in 2027, causing it to drop to 6th globally.