ANZ and Westpac Forecast Two RBA Rate Hikes in March and May 2026 
EU and CPTPP Nations Push for Landmark Digital Trade Agreement 
Oil Prices Surge Amid Middle East Tensions as Houthi Attacks Escalate Conflict 
Fed Rate Cut Hopes Fade as Oil Prices Stoke Inflation Fears 
RBA Raises Cash Rate to 4.10% in Closest Vote Since Transparent Voting Began 
Goldman Sachs Raises ECB Rate Hike Forecast Amid Persistent Energy-Driven Inflation 
Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
Global Central Banks Hold Rates Amid Iran War-Driven Energy Price Surge 
U.S. Treasury Eyes Private Credit Oversight Through Insurance Regulator Talks 
Bank of Japan Governor Signals Gradual Progress Toward 2% Inflation Target 
U.S. Stock Futures Drop as Iran War Escalates, Oil Surges Past $115 
This week is extremely risk heavy. The week is filled with scheduled data releases and events which are likely to trigger large scale volatilities in the market.
What to watch for over the coming days:
- US data:
Some key data will be released this week; PCE inflation and income/spending data on Monday, manufacturing PMI on Wednesday, and NFP report on Friday.
- Central banks:
Bank of Japan (BoJ) will announce policy decision on Tuesday at the first anniversary of its negative rates introduction. Federal Reserve will announce its policy decision on Wednesday when it is widely expected to stay put as it increased rates just in December. The Bank of England (BoE) will announce interest rate decision on Thursday.
- US earnings:
Investors would remain focused on fourth quarter earnings details from the companies listed in S&P 500. This week, more than 100 companies listed in S&P 500 are scheduled to announce results including Apple, Facebook, ExxonMobil, Pfizer, ConocoPhillips, and more.
- Trump:
The new US President Donald Trump shook the whole country as well as the world on his very first week with an array of executive orders. Eyes would remain focused on the White House on Trump’s second week.
