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Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
Asian Stocks Advance as Nikkei Nears Record High Ahead of Fed Decision 
ASX Proposes New Share Dilution Limits for Public Takeovers 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Fed Decision and US-Iran Deal Details 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
Dollar Surges After Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Potential Tightening Ahead 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
Australia’s inflation rate came in stronger than expected in January, intensifying speculation that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) may consider another interest rate hike in the coming months. Fresh data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Wednesday showed that consumer prices climbed 0.4% month-on-month, exceeding market forecasts of a 0.3% increase. On an annual basis, the consumer price index (CPI) held steady at 3.8%, slightly above economists’ expectations of 3.7%.
The higher-than-anticipated rise in Australia’s CPI was largely driven by increased housing and healthcare costs, two sectors that continue to put pressure on household budgets. Rising rental prices, construction expenses, and medical services contributed significantly to the January inflation figures, highlighting persistent cost-of-living challenges across the country.
Core inflation, closely monitored by the RBA for underlying price pressures, also showed signs of acceleration. The trimmed mean measure of core inflation rose 0.3% in January, pushing the annual rate up to 3.4% from 3.3% in December. This marks the fastest annual pace since late 2024 and surpassed forecasts of 3.3%. The uptick in core inflation suggests that price pressures remain broad-based rather than temporary.
Following the release of the inflation data, financial markets reassessed the likelihood of further monetary tightening. While expectations for a May rate hike were previously moderate, traders have now adjusted their outlook, narrowing the perceived probability of an immediate increase but acknowledging that persistent inflation could keep the RBA on a cautious path.
With inflation remaining above the central bank’s target range, policymakers face a delicate balance between controlling price growth and supporting economic stability. Future interest rate decisions will likely depend on whether inflation moderates in the coming months or continues to surprise to the upside.
