New Zealand Budget 2026 Focuses on Fiscal Discipline and Infrastructure Investment 
RBA Raises Interest Rates to 4.35% Amid Rising Inflation Risks and Middle East Tensions 
BOJ Rate Decision in Focus as Yen, Inflation, and Nikkei Hang in Balance 
US Stock Futures Slip as Iran Tensions and Hot Inflation Data Pressure Wall Street 
Trump Faces Uphill Battle Seeking China’s Help on Iran Conflict 
South Korea Central Bank Signals Inflation Concerns as Oil Prices Surge 
US-China Trade Talks Begin in South Korea Ahead of Trump-Xi Beijing Summit 
U.S. Urges China to Help Curb Iran’s Actions in Gulf, Rubio Says 
Sizable numbers of economic data and events scheduled for this week but all with low to medium risks associated.
Data released so far:
- United Kingdom: BRC shop price index rose by 1 percent in December.
- Australia: Retail sales rose by 0.2 percent in November.
- China: Consumer price index rose by 2.1 percent y/y in December and producer price index rose by 5.5 percent y/y.
- Japan: Consumer confidence improved to 43.1 in December.
Upcoming:
- France: Industrial output data for November will be published at 7:45 GMT.
- United States: NFIB business optimism index for December will be announced at 11:00 GMT, followed by Redbook index at 13:55 GMT, and JOLTS jobs report at 15:00 GMT along with TIPP economic optimism.
- Canada: Housing starts figure will be released at 13:15 GMT, followed by building permits data at 13:30 GMT.
- Auctions: US will auction 1-month bills at 16:30 GMT and 3-year notes at 18:00 GMT.
