China Warns of Rising Global Risks as Tariff Pressures Intensify in 2025 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Global Forex Markets Brace for Fed Decision as Yen Extends Weakness 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
RBA Holds Rates but Warns of Rising Inflation Pressures 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Decision; Aussie Dollar Edges Higher 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Asian Markets Slip as Investors Brace for Fed Rate Cut and Global Policy Decisions 
Wall Street Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Decision; Nvidia Gains on China Chip Sales Approval 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Australia’s labour market showed clear signs of cooling in November, with national employment falling by the most in nine months. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, total employment declined by 23,100 jobs, reversing October’s strong gain of 41,200 and missing market expectations of a 20,000 increase. The drop was driven largely by a significant loss of 56,500 full-time positions, underscoring softening economic momentum.
Annual job growth slowed to 1.3%, a sharp deceleration from 3.5% earlier in the year and notably below the nation’s 2% population growth. Despite weakening employment conditions, the unemployment rate held steady at 4.3%, defying forecasts for a slight rise. The participation rate eased to 66.7% from 66.9%, while total hours worked remained flat following consecutive months of growth.
Economists noted that some volatility was expected after October’s surge. Harry Murphy Cruise of Oxford Economics highlighted that short-term fluctuations can mask broader labour trends, and the underlying picture points to a gradual cooling of the job market. This softening reduces pressure on the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to implement near-term rate hikes.
Financial markets responded modestly, with the Australian dollar dipping 0.1% to $0.6667 and three-year government bond futures extending gains. Interest rate swaps now reflect a 23% probability of a February rate hike, rising to around 70% by May, with two increases priced in by the end of next year.
The RBA recently kept its cash rate at 3.6%, signalling no immediate policy easing as inflation remains elevated. Headline inflation rose for the fourth consecutive month to 3.8% in October, while trimmed mean inflation reached 3.3%, still above the central bank’s 2%–3% target range. Strong economic growth—its fastest in two years—has been fuelled by government, consumer and business spending, potentially adding to inflationary pressures even as the labour market loosens.
