World economic confidence softened in October amid persistent supply bottlenecks, volatile energy markets, and renewed geopolitical friction. Surveys across Europe and Asia indicated declining export orders and business sentiment as manufacturers grappled with logistics and tariff uncertainties. Analysts said the fragile recovery remains uneven, with industrial economies still facing higher input costs and sluggish trade flows. Multilateral agencies have warned that without policy coordination, growth momentum could falter into 2026. Investors remain risk-averse, favoring defensive assets and emerging-market bonds over equities.