Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Australia’s Inflation Falls to Three-Year Low Amid Government Rebates
In the third quarter of 2024, Australian inflation dropped to its lowest level in three and a half years, driven by government subsidies on electricity and declining petrol prices. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.2%, slightly under the 0.3% forecast. Annual inflation now stands at 2.8%, down from 3.8%, aligning with the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) 2-3% target range for the first time since 2021.
Key Drivers of Lower Inflation
Electricity prices saw a significant decrease of 17.3% due to government rebates, while petrol costs dropped by 6.2% in the third quarter. For September alone, CPI rose by a modest 2.1% year-on-year, marking the slowest pace since July 2021.
Sticky Core Inflation and RBA’s Policy Outlook
While headline inflation shows improvement, core inflation, measured by the trimmed mean, rose by 0.8% in the quarter, slightly above the projected 0.7%. However, the annual core inflation rate eased to 3.5% from 4.0%. Despite signs of cooling, services inflation remained high at 4.6%, with minimal change from the prior quarter’s 4.5%.
The RBA has maintained its current policy rate at 4.35% since November, assessing it as sufficiently restrictive to guide inflation to its target without harming employment growth. With the next rate review set for Tuesday, the central bank will consider its updated economic forecasts.
