Asian Currencies Mostly Consolidate; Risk-on Sentiment May Support

Gold prices have edged higher, buoyed by expectations of potential interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve, as indicated by recent dovish comments from central bankers, according to ANZ Research. This upward movement reflects a growing sentiment among investors seeking safe-haven assets amid economic uncertainty.

The Justice Department has announced a settlement regarding a lawsuit that alleged RealPage's software enabled landlords to unfairly coordinate apartment rental prices. This legal action raised concerns about potential anti-competitive practices in the rental market.

Alimentation Couche-Tard reported a rise in second-quarter profits, driven by an increase in same-store sales. Chief Executive Alex Miller highlighted the company's strategies, including meal deals, exclusive vendor partnerships, and seasonal Fuel Day events, as key factors in attracting more customers.

The WSJ Dollar Index rose by 0.03% to 97.55, marking a positive trend as the dollar has gained for five of the past six sessions. This increase reflects a strengthening of the dollar against other currencies, indicating a favorable sentiment in the currency markets.

The Nasdaq experienced a significant rebound, gaining 2.7%, marking its best performance since May, largely driven by strong performances from Alphabet and chip stocks. This surge reflects a renewed investor confidence in the tech sector amidst recent volatility.

Crude futures experienced a rise, snapping a three-session losing streak, primarily driven by a rally in equities. This marks a significant shift in market sentiment, indicating a potential recovery in oil prices after recent declines.

U.S. natural gas futures began the week with losses, settling higher than initial lows as forecasts predict colder weather later this week and into December. This fluctuation reflects ongoing volatility in the energy market, influenced by changing weather patterns.

San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly expressed her support for lowering interest rates at the upcoming central bank meeting, a notable stance given her historical alignment with Chair Jerome Powell's views. This statement comes amidst ongoing discussions about the Federal Reserve's monetary policy direction in light of recent economic indicators.