Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
Oil Prices Hit Four-Month High as Geopolitical Risks and Supply Disruptions Intensify 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
U.S. and El Salvador Sign Landmark Critical Minerals Agreement to Boost Investment and Trade 
Gold Prices Pull Back After Record Highs as January Rally Remains Strong 
Trump Threatens 50% Tariff on Canadian Aircraft Amid Escalating U.S.-Canada Trade Dispute 
MAS Holds Monetary Policy Steady as Strong Growth Raises Inflation Risks 
Bank of Japan Likely to Delay Rate Hike Until July as Economists Eye 1% by September 
U.S. Prosecutors Investigate Fed Chair Jerome Powell Over Headquarters Renovation 
U.S. Urges Japan on Monetary Policy as Yen Volatility Raises Market Concerns 
Indonesian Stocks Plunge as MSCI Downgrade Risk Sparks Investor Exodus 
BOJ Rate Decision in Focus as Yen Weakness and Inflation Shape Market Outlook 
Australia’s second-quarter inflation data aligned with central bank expectations, providing a positive signal for monetary policy while keeping interest rate decisions cautious, Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser said Thursday. Speaking at the Barrenjoey Economic Forum in Sydney, Hauser described the data as “very welcome” but emphasized the board’s measured approach to policy adjustments.
Consumer prices in the June quarter rose at the slowest pace in over four years, with core inflation hitting a three-year low. This outcome strengthened market bets on an interest rate cut in August, with traders pricing a 95% probability of a quarter-point reduction. The RBA surprised markets earlier this month by holding rates steady at 3.85%, awaiting more evidence of sustained inflation moderation.
Despite the softer inflation figures, Hauser highlighted continued labor market resilience, noting unemployment remains low at 4.3%, close to full employment levels. He added that while a sharp rise in joblessness could prompt a policy response, this is not the central bank’s baseline scenario.
Hauser also addressed the RBA’s recent unpredictability in policy moves, assuring that surprises will remain occasional rather than the norm. “There will be shocks from time to time,” he said. “You will see a sequence of us doing the right thing but not necessarily the predictable thing.”
The latest data and commentary have fueled expectations of imminent monetary easing, potentially marking a shift in Australia’s rate cycle amid global central banks pivoting toward looser policy. Markets now closely watch the August 12 meeting for confirmation of the anticipated cut.
