Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Asian Markets Rebound as Tech Rally Lifts Wall Street, Investors Brace for BOJ Rate Hike 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Australian government bonds remained a little higher during Asian session on Monday ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) monetary policy decision, where no change in communication is expected from the central bank. Also, trading volumes will remain low due to a state holiday in Australia.
The yield on Australia’s benchmark 10-year note, which moves inversely to its price, fell 1 basis point to 2.665 percent, the yield on the long-term 30-year bond traded flat at 3.160 percent and the yield on short-term 2-year dipped 1 basis point to 2.031 percent by 03:40GMT.
“Italian budget jitters dominated the European session. Italian yields surged 20-35 bps with Italian shares down nearly 4 percent. Other European bourses fell 0.5-1.5 percent. (The) U.S. Treasury yields and equities were little changed, with Kavanaugh testimony dividing the nation. In equities, financial declines were offset by utility gains. Oil rose with sell-side analysts predicting USD100/bbl prices (WTI +1.3 percent to USD73.25/bbl). Gold rebounded 0.7%, closing at USD1190.88/oz,” noted ANZ Bank.
Lastly, markets will now eye Tuesday’s RBA monetary policy statement to understand the future direction in the official cash rate.
“Geopolitical risks may get back into the front seat, as speculation is increasing that talks between the US and China may hit another bump in the road; especially after President Trump recently accused China of meddling in the US mid-term elections. An eventual escalation in the US-China trade dispute will weigh heavily on sentiment, so this is a space to watch,” noted ANZ Bank.
“In the RBA statement we expect little change and little impact for the AUD.”
Meanwhile, the S&P/ASX 200 index traded 0.19% lower at 6,160.5 by 04:00 GMT, while at 03:00GMT, the FxWirePro's Hourly AUD Strength Index remained neutral at -42.09 (a reading above +75 indicates a bullish trend, while that below -75 a bearish trend). For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex
