{"id":53868,"date":"2025-09-30T20:38:22","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T00:38:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-markets-eye-us-shutdown-japan-confidence-rises-oil-stabilizes\/53868\/"},"modified":"2025-09-30T20:38:22","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T00:38:22","slug":"global-markets-eye-us-shutdown-japan-confidence-rises-oil-stabilizes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-markets-eye-us-shutdown-japan-confidence-rises-oil-stabilizes\/53868\/","title":{"rendered":"Global Markets Eye US Shutdown, Japan Confidence Rises, Oil Stabilizes"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Japan&#39;s large manufacturers reported improved confidence for a second consecutive quarter, with the Tankan Manufacturing Index rising to 14 in Q3, strengthening the case for potential Bank of Japan policy shifts.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>US equity futures dipped and <a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/metal\/gold\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"4\" title=\"gold price today\">gold<\/a> edged higher as Washington neared a potential government shutdown, threatening delays to key economic reports and raising concerns over near-term market volatility.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Oil prices steadied after two days of sharp declines, with WTI near $62 and Brent above $66, as traders anticipate OPEC+ meetings this weekend where members may consider accelerating output hikes.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>New Zealand&#39;s government pledged significant capital injections into state-backed power firms Genesis (<a href=\"\/stock\/GNE\">GNE<\/a>), Mercury (<a href=\"\/stock\/MCY\">MCY<\/a>), and Meridian (<a href=\"\/stock\/MEL\">MEL<\/a>) to fund new generation projects, including an LNG import facility by 2027.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Global markets are navigating a complex landscape marked by political uncertainty in the United States, rising business confidence in Japan, and a stabilizing oil market ahead of crucial OPEC+ talks. Meanwhile, New Zealand is making significant moves to bolster its energy infrastructure.<\/p>\n<h2>US Government Shutdown Looms<\/h2>\n<p>The prospect of a US government shutdown is casting a shadow over financial markets, causing <strong>US equity futures to slip<\/strong> in early Asian trading. This potential shutdown threatens to delay the release of key economic reports, fueling concerns over <em>near-term market volatility<\/em>. Adding to the political drama, former President Trump has reportedly pulled the nomination of <strong>EJ Antoni<\/strong> to lead the statistics agency. Amid these uncertainties, <strong>gold prices edged higher<\/strong>, reflecting its traditional role as a safe-haven asset.<\/p>\n<h2>Japan&#39;s Manufacturing Sector Shows Strength<\/h2>\n<p>Confidence among Japan\u2019s large manufacturers improved for a second straight quarter, according to the latest Tankan survey. The <strong>Large Manufacturing Index for Q3 rose to 14<\/strong>, exceeding expectations and the previous quarter&#39;s reading of 13. The Large Non-Manufacturing Index remained steady at 34. This sustained improvement supports the <em>case for the Bank of Japan to consider adjustments to its ultra-loose monetary policy<\/em>. Large all-industry capital expenditure estimates for the fiscal year also increased to <strong>12.5%<\/strong>, up from 11.5% previously.<\/p>\n<h2>Oil Market Stabilizes Ahead of OPEC+ Decision<\/h2>\n<p>After two days of sharp declines, <strong>oil prices have steadied<\/strong>, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) trading near <strong>$62<\/strong> and Brent crude holding above <strong>$66<\/strong> per barrel. Traders are closely watching upcoming OPEC+ meetings this weekend, where members are expected to discuss potential strategies. The alliance is reportedly <em>weighing a plan to add 500,000 barrels per day<\/em> to output, as some members consider accelerating production hikes to regain market share.<\/p>\n<h2>New Zealand Boosts Energy Sector<\/h2>\n<p>New Zealand\u2019s government has committed to injecting capital into its majority-owned power firms: Genesis (<a href=\"\/stock\/GNE\">GNE<\/a>), Mercury (<a href=\"\/stock\/MCY\">MCY<\/a>), and Meridian (<a href=\"\/stock\/MEL\">MEL<\/a>). This significant investment aims to fund new generation projects, which may include non-renewable sources. Ministers have unveiled plans for an <strong>LNG import facility by 2027<\/strong>, a move that <em>rejects previous advice to divest state stakes<\/em> in these companies.<\/p>\n<p>In other economic news, Ireland&#39;s manufacturing sector showed modest growth in September. The <strong>Ireland Manufacturing PMI rose to 51.8<\/strong> in September, up from 51.6 in August, according to S&amp;P Global.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways Japan&#39;s large manufacturers reported improved confidence for a second consecutive quarter, with the Tankan Manufacturing Index rising to 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