Softer US jobs data eases Fed hike pressure; Asian stocks set to open higher

Bloomberg reports Asian stocks are poised to open higher after softer US jobs data eased pressure on the Fed to keep raising rates. Sunday-evening futures: Dow +53 points (0.1%), S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 about +0.1%. The Nikkei 225 is projected to open at 69,585, up 1,276 points (+1.9%).

Markets are watching whether the Fed will hike again, since that affects funding costs and equity valuations. Weaker jobs data lowers the odds of another hike and supports sentiment. Investors remain frustrated by elevated Treasury yields, though.

Watch the Fed minutes, which markets are awaiting after the unanimous September hike; the SEP showed a strong consensus for just one more hike in 2026. Look at how the wording reflects the October rate path and whether Treasury yields ease.