South Korea September import price index YoY 17.6%; prior revised to 15.9% from 15.60%.

Barclays economists said remarks by Bank of Japan policy board member Koeda reinforced the case for further tightening. Koeda said Japan’s neutral rate could be “well above 1%” and that adding a 2% inflation rate to potential growth implies a neutral rate possibly above 2%. Barclays forecasts a 25bp hike in Dec 2026, followed by further increases in Mar and Jul 2027, taking the policy rate to a 2% terminal level.

UK Chancellor Healy said he will follow IMF advice and maintain deficit-cutting measures in the Oct. 28 budget.