South Korea Signals Possible Interest Rate Hike as Inflation Remains Elevated 
BOJ Raises Interest Rates to 31-Year High, Signals Strong Focus on Inflation Risks 
China Keeps Loan Prime Rates Unchanged for 13th Straight Month as Policymakers Prioritize Credit Demand Recovery 
ECB Set to Raise Interest Rates as Energy Shock Fuels Eurozone Inflation Concerns 
RBA Minutes Signal Australia Central Bank Remains Ready to Raise Interest Rates if Inflation Persists 
Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
Japan Signals Surprise Yen Intervention Strategy as BOJ Hawkish Stance Puts FX Traders on Alert 
Data released earlier today showed that Australia's total employment in Jan fell 7.9k compared to a market median of +13k and a range of -30k to +40k. The driver of soft employment was a fall of 40,600 in full-time jobs.
The data suggest that the acceleration at the back end of 2015 was exaggerated. Will this give the RBA a reason to pause and consider their assessment of the labour market? In the most recent Statement on Monetary Policy they stated that the unemployment rate had fallen below 6% and was likely to stay there. One month is definitely not to be considered a trend, but will likely make the RBA a litle less confident.
"Today's release is unlikely to be a game changer for the RBA in itself, but if we see further weakness next month the market could bring forward easing expectations." said BNP Paribas in a report.
