Asian markets swung between gains and losses Wednesday as traders tried to ascertain how big an expected Federal Reserve interest rate cut would be later in the day, while the dollar held gains against the yen after forecast-beating US data.

The research by the US-based Atlantic Council think-tank published on Tuesday showed that all G20 nations are now looking into central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) as they are known and that 44 countries in total are piloting them.

Most Asian markets rose Tuesday but Tokyo sank more than one percent as exporters were hit by a stronger yen with traders gearing up for a bumper US interest rate cut and a key Japanese central bank meeting. 

Asian stocks made a cautious start on Monday in a week that is almost certain to see the start of an easing cycle in the United States with the only question mark being the size of the cut, with markets split on the chance of an outsized move.

The dollar on Friday slumped against the yen while gold hit an all-time peak as investors ratcheted up bets for a super-sized Federal Reserve interest rate cut next week after media reports suggested the decision was a tough one for officials.

The European Central Bank cut interest rates again on Thursday as inflation slows and economic growth falters, but provided almost no clues to its next step, even as investors bet on steady policy easing in the months ahead.

A surge in tech firms Thursday helped Asian markets track a Wall Street rally after data showed US inflation at a more than three-year low, reinforcing expectations the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next week.

The increasing domestic use of wood pellets and wood chips and skyrocketing exports to Japan and other markets present a business opportunity but also raise environmental concerns.

Asian markets wobbled and US stock futures slipped on Wednesday after Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump clashed in a keenly-awaited US presidential debate.

The plastic and petrochemical sectors are bracing for potential mass layoffs as industry groups sound the alarm, citing surging imports, weak demand and a lack of global competitiveness.

China stocks fell to a seven-month low on Monday, as August inflation data deepened economic worries, while Hong Kong shares declined as much as 2 percent amid weak regional sentiment.

The local bourse has seen a general lifting in projections among global investment banks on the back of a stronger rupiah and expectations for a Fed rate cut before the year-end as well as fiscal discipline under the incoming Prabowo administration.

The Singapore government has conditionally approved importing another 1.4 GW of solar power from Indonesia atop a previous deal with five separate local firms to export a combined 3.4 GW of solar power to the island-state by 2027.

The dollar slid to a one-month trough versus the yen and a one-week low on the euro on Friday as a mixed bag of US job market indicators stirred caution ahead of a crucial monthly payrolls report later in the day.

Kayan hydropower project is located in North Kalimantan and Mamberamo hydropower project is located in Papua.

Tech firms led a plunge across Asian markets Wednesday after a rout on Wall Street fueled by a collapse in chip titan Nvidia and disappointing data on US factory activity that revived recession fears.

India has consistently been the second-largest export destination for Indonesian vegetable oil products, buying 16 percent of the country’s total shipments last year, according to International Trade Center (ITC) data, below only China’s share of 21 percent.

The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry has prepared several arguments to counter US dumping allegations.

Asian markets stuttered Tuesday as investors steel themselves for a high-stakes US jobs report at the end of the week while keeping tabs on China after fresh data stoked renewed worries over the world's number two economy.

Asian markets were mixed Monday, with optimism over an expected US interest rate cut offset by worries over the Chinese economy following the release of more disappointing data.

House price growth has slowed down in Jakarta and other cities as high interest rates and weak purchasing power take a toll on the market, but experts view the slowdown as temporary and say the trend continues to point upward, to the dismay of would-be home buyers.

The IDX Composite closed the week in the green after rising by 0.57 percent, to close at 7,670.73 on Friday.

Pointing to China as an example, Prabowo’s team says housing and the related construction sector could become a major driver of economic activity in Indonesia.

Asian stocks rose on Friday and were poised for a solid end to August while the dollar was staring at its worst monthly performance in nine months, on the view that the Federal Reserve is all but certain to cut interest rates next month.

Equity investors stepped cautiously Wednesday ahead of key US data and the release of earnings by tech titan Nvidia that could shine a light on demand for all things artificial intelligence after this year's tech-led markets rally.

Goods affected include textiles and textile products, finished clothing, ceramics, electronics, footwear, cosmetics and other textile goods.

Asian stocks fell on Tuesday as investors pondered looming US interest rate cuts and awaited earnings from AI darling Nvidia, while rising tensions in the Middle East and supply concerns checked risk sentiment and lifted oil prices.

The IDX Composite index rose by 0.82 percent, to 7,606.19 by the close of trading on Monday, starting the week on a positive note.

Asian shares crept cautiously higher on Monday, while the dollar and bond yields were on the wane ahead of inflation data that investors hope will pave the way for rate cuts in the United States and Europe.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Friday offered an explicit endorsement of interest rate cuts, saying further cooling in the job market would be unwelcome and expressing confidence that inflation was within reach of the US central bank's 2 percent target.