Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Australian business activity rebounded strongly in June, driven by rising sales and profitability as easing inflation and lower interest rates began to support demand. According to National Australia Bank’s (NAB) monthly survey, business conditions jumped to +9 from zero in May, surpassing the long-term average of +6. Business confidence also rose for the third straight month, climbing 3 points to +5.
NAB’s chief economist Sally Auld noted that while monthly fluctuations should be interpreted cautiously, the trend improvement is a positive sign following a sluggish start to 2025. She added that improving sentiment was encouraging given the backdrop of negative global headlines in recent months.
Key components of the survey reflected broad-based improvement. Business sales surged 10 points to +15, profitability increased 9 points to +4, and employment edged up 2 points to +3. Notably, the manufacturing and retail sectors recorded the strongest recoveries after significant declines in May.
Retail gains are particularly notable, as consumer demand had remained weak despite two interest rate cuts and slowing inflation. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is expected to cut rates again, likely by 25 basis points to 3.60%, with markets anticipating further easing toward 3.10% or below. This outlook is underpinned by core inflation falling into the RBA’s 2–3% target range.
NAB’s data also showed retail price growth slowing to 0.6% in the June quarter, the lowest since early 2023, while purchase costs remained elevated at 1.5%, suggesting ongoing margin pressures.
The June rebound offers hope that Australia’s economy is beginning to respond to monetary easing and disinflation, potentially setting the stage for a more stable second half of 2025.
