Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
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 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
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.
