BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
U.S. Stocks Rise as Cooler Inflation Boosts Hopes for Fed Rate Cut 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Austria’s AA Credit Rating Affirmed as Fitch Highlights Stable Outlook 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Fed Meeting Sparks Division as Markets Brace for Possible Rate Cut 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Australia’s labor market unexpectedly contracted in May, raising expectations for potential interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released Thursday showed total employment declined by 2,500 jobs in May, sharply contrasting with April’s gain of 87,600 jobs and missing forecasts for a 20,600 increase.
The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1%, aligning with market expectations. Meanwhile, the participation rate—reflecting the proportion of the working-age population in the labor force—held steady at 67.0%, slightly below the projected 67.1%.
The weaker-than-expected jobs data signals a cooling labor market, reinforcing the case for further monetary easing. The RBA had already lowered interest rates twice this year, citing progress in bringing inflation within its 2–3% target range. However, the central bank has emphasized a data-dependent stance, especially amid rising global trade tensions driven by renewed U.S. tariffs.
Economists now anticipate the RBA could initiate another rate cut as early as August, though it is expected to move cautiously. The latest figures add to signs that Australia’s economic momentum is moderating, potentially giving the central bank more room to stimulate growth.
