Japan’s Inflation Edges Higher in October as BOJ Faces Growing Pressure to Hike Rates 
Fed Rate Cut Odds Rise as December Decision Looks Increasingly Divided 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
New RBNZ Governor Anna Breman Aims to Restore Stability After Tumultuous Years 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
BOK Expected to Hold Rates at 2.50% as Housing and Currency Pressures Persist 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Australia’s central bank considered a steep 50 basis point rate cut in May as a precaution against escalating global trade tensions, particularly from U.S. tariffs, but ultimately opted for a smaller, more predictable 25 basis point reduction. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) lowered the cash rate to 3.85% from 4.10%, according to minutes from the May 20 policy meeting.
Board members acknowledged that while Australia’s economy remained resilient and the labor market was tight, global uncertainties—especially U.S. President Donald Trump’s unexpectedly aggressive tariff policies—posed a significant threat to global and domestic growth. They noted that if worst-case scenarios unfolded, monetary policy might need to shift toward a more expansionary stance, potentially bringing rates below the neutral range, estimated around 3.0%.
The board debated leaving rates unchanged but concluded that domestic inflation progress and subdued household consumption warranted easing. Core inflation returned to the RBA’s 2–3% target band, sitting at 2.9% in Q1 and projected to decline to 2.6% by year-end.
However, policymakers were cautious about cutting too aggressively, citing potential complications if rapid easing had to be reversed. They emphasized the importance of predictable policy moves in a climate of global uncertainty.
Markets currently price in a 70% chance of another rate cut at the RBA’s July 8 meeting, though many economists expect the bank to wait for Q2 inflation data before acting in August. Futures markets see rates bottoming between 2.85% and 3.10% by early next year—levels consistent with neutral monetary policy.
The RBA also flagged concerns that household spending, which had been unexpectedly weak, might not rebound as forecast, reinforcing the case for continued monetary support.
