China will be on its Golden Week holiday next week. So, it should be all quiet on the eastern front. Meanwhile, the US-Iran war rumbles on with the Trump administration bereft of ideas on how to end the conflict. But there could be no shortage of hot air from “you know who” that could cause more volatility in crude oil prices.
Elsewhere, the Reserve Bank of India will announce its latest interest-rate decision. The central bank has sat on its hands at four previous meeting. But it is expected to raise interest rates at the next meeting, following the U.S. Fed’s rate hike and rising domestic inflation.
Staying with inflation, a trio of Asian countries will report their latest inflation rates. Thailand is expected to say that inflation has accelerated again in September. In August, the Land of Smiles said the inflation rate was boosted by higher domestic fuel prices and rising oil prices.
The Philippines is expected to say that the inflation rate has remained above 6% for the sixth consecutive month in September. In August, inflation was driven by fuel prices increases that saw transportation inflation climb to 13.5%.
Taiwan could report a fifth consecutive month where inflation has stayed above the central bank’s target of 2%. In August, prices moderated for food and housing. But prices accelerated for transportation.
On the corporate front
Levi Strauss (NYSE: LEVI) will report third-quarter earnings. The company is expected to announce earnings per share of US$0.36 and revenue of US$1.62 billion on strong denim demand. In July, the jeans maker raised its full year guidance. It could raise it again.
In July, PepsiCo (Nasdaq: PEP) warned that more pressure could come from commodity prices. But it said that its North American business is expected to gradually improve, albeit at a slower pace. Its international business should continue to do well, when it announces third-quarter numbers.
Delta Airlines (NYSE: DAL) is expected to report third-quarter earnings per share of between US$1.96 and US$2.03 on revenue that grew around 6%. The airline is benefitting from resilient demand for long-haul flight and premium cabins space.
Malaysian glove maker Top Glove (KLSE: 7113) is expected to report strong full-year results. The company has benefitted from higher selling prices and a stronger US dollar. But it could be hampered by higher raw-material prices and higher natural-gas prices. Shareholders will be hoping that the company will reinstate dividends that have been paused since December 2025.
Fast Retail (SEHK: 6288) could report a full-year business profit of ¥710 billion on revenue that jumped 16% to ¥3.97 trillion. The strong numbers at the owner of Uniqlo is despite sluggish demand in Mainland China and unusual weather patterns in Europe.
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David owns shares in PepsiCo, Top Glove and Fast Retail. He also wears Levi’s.
