Asian Markets Consolidate Gains as Japan GDP Disappoints and Fed Rate Cut Bets Rise 
Oil Prices Steady but Head for Weekly Loss as Supply Glut Concerns Weigh 
MOEX Russia Index Closes Flat as Gold Surges and Ruble Strengthens 
Oil Prices Steady as Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks and OPEC+ Output Plans Shape Market Outlook 
Asian Stock Markets Trade in Narrow Range as Japan GDP Misses Forecasts, Hang Seng Gains 
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Japan GDP Growth Slows Sharply in Q4 2025 Amid Weak Business Spending and Trade Tensions 
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New Zealand House Prices Dip in January Amid Seasonal Slowdown and Severe Weather 
Asian Currencies Trade in Tight Range as Dollar Steadies; Yen Slips on Weak Japan GDP 
UK House Prices Hold Steady in February as Rightmove Reports Post-Budget Market Stability 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Stabilizes Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Asian Markets Slip as Tech Stocks Tumble Ahead of Key U.S. Inflation Data 
U.S. Stocks End Mixed as January CPI Cools, Treasury Yields Slide 
U.S. Inflation Cools in January as Gas Prices Fall, Core CPI Signals Sticky Price Pressures 
Australia’s inflation rate accelerated more than expected in October, reinforcing concerns that the Reserve Bank of Australia may have limited room to continue easing monetary policy. New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed headline CPI rising 3.8% year-on-year—higher than the projected 3.6% and marking the strongest inflation reading since June 2024. The persistent uptick highlights mounting price pressures across key sectors, particularly housing, food, and energy.
Underlying inflation also edged higher, with trimmed mean CPI increasing to 3.3% in October from 3.2% in September. Analysts note that both headline and core inflation remain above the RBA’s 2% to 3% target range, adding complexity to the central bank’s policy path as it weighs economic stability against inflation control.
A major factor behind October’s inflation spike was soaring electricity costs, which surged 37.1% after state government electricity rebates expired in recent months. These rebates had previously kept power prices artificially low, and their removal has triggered a sharp reversal. The October release also marked the ABS’s first fully expanded monthly CPI report under a new methodology designed to provide more frequent and detailed inflation insights.
The hotter-than-expected reading represents the fourth consecutive month in which inflation has exceeded forecasts. As a result, financial markets quickly adjusted expectations, with the likelihood of a December rate cut by the RBA fading. Many investors now anticipate a prolonged pause in the bank’s easing cycle.
Economists at Capital Economics said the latest data shows strengthening inflationary momentum, making near-term rate cuts increasingly unlikely. They warned that if inflation remains sticky, the RBA may delay additional cuts until the latter half of 2026, effectively signaling that the current cycle of policy easing could be nearing its end.
Market reactions were swift: the Australian dollar climbed 0.4%, while domestic equities gave back part of their earlier gains as traders digested the implications of the report.
