Asian markets fluctuate as focus turns to Trump-Xi, BoJ | Business

HONG KONG, Sept 19, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Asian markets swung Friday at the end of a strong week for investors following the US interest rate cut, with attention now turning to a call between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. While the Federal Reserve and boss Jerome Powell were not as forthright as hoped on future rate reductions the mood on trading floors remained upbeat. The US central bank lowered borrowing costs Wednesday for the first time since December after a series of reports pointed to a slowdown in the country's labour market, which offset stubbornly high inflation. A closely watched gauge of future moves indicated two more this year but Powell warned decisions would be data-dependent. With that in mind,...