Asian Stocks Gain Amid Iran Conflict Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Rebound as Iran Denies U.S. Talks, Middle East Tensions Persist 
Australia's Inflation Eases in February but Core Pressures Persist 
U.S. Oil Prices Slide as Middle East Ceasefire Talks Spark Market Optimism 
Australia-EU Free Trade Deal Signed After Years of Negotiations 
Asian Currencies Stay Muted as Dollar Holds Firm Amid Iran Uncertainty 
Trump Tariffs Show Minimal Economic Impact but Boost Federal Revenue, Study Finds 
Gold Prices Surge on U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Reports 
Bank of Japan Eyes April Rate Hike Despite Inflation Dip, ING Says 
Gold Prices Climb as Middle East Ceasefire Talks Stir Market Optimism 
U.S. Futures Slide as Iran Denies Nuclear Talks with Washington 
Currency Markets Show Caution Amid U.S.-Iran Negotiations 
Oil Prices Plunge Over 6% as Middle East Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Fears 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Dollar Rebounds Amid Middle East Uncertainty and Japan Inflation Data 
WTO Reform Talks Begin in Cameroon Amid Global Trade Tensions 
December 2024 PCE Data to be Released Today
The US Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index data for December 2024 is expected to be published today, January 31, 2025. This will give the critical inflation trend and consumer spending in the US economy. As a leading indicator, the PCE index is always looked forward to by investors and analysts to judge the economic forecast.
Recent PCE Trends
The PCE Price Index, in November 2024, was only up a small 0.1% month-to-month, falling short of its estimated value of 0.2%, which would have been the smallest increase in six months. This was also seen in the core PCE index price index that doesn't consider food and energy inflation registered at 0.1%. Annual figures showed that the headline PCE saw its inflation rise to 2.4%, while the core, at 2.8%, remained unchanged but both were under expectations.
Economic Environment and Future Predictions
For the next month, economists predict a 0.2% growth in the headline and core PCE indices, which may have some stabilizing effects on inflation rates. For the year-on-year core PCE inflation, it is anticipated to be 2.8%. The Federal Reserve has hiked its estimate for PCE inflation in 2025 from 2.1% to 2.5%, following the current trend of the economy. This release is going to be important for market sentiment and can influence future interest rate policies.
