Dollar Slips as Weak U.S. Manufacturing Data Increases Pressure for Fed Rate Cuts 
South Korea Inflation Edges Up in November as Food and Service Costs Climb 
Intel Boosts Malaysia Operations with Additional RM860 Million Investment 
RBA Signals Possible Rate Implications as Inflation Proves More Persistent 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Oil Prices Slip as Russia-Ukraine Peace Hopes Fade and Oversupply Fears Grow 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
U.S. Cyber Monday Online Sales Surge Past $9.1 Billion as Holiday Shopping Momentum Builds 
Japan’s Service Sector Sustains Growth Momentum in November 
U.S. Soybean Shipments to China Gain Momentum as Trade Tensions Ease 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Australian home prices climbed again in November, though momentum slowed in key markets like Sydney and Melbourne as expectations of delayed interest rate cuts weighed on buyer sentiment. According to new data from property consultant Cotality, formerly CoreLogic, national home values rose 1% from October to reach a median of A$888,941. While slightly below October’s 1.1% increase, prices are still up 7.5% so far this year, highlighting ongoing strength in the country’s housing market.
The latest surge was led by smaller capital cities, where affordability remains comparatively better. Perth posted the strongest monthly gain with a 2.4% jump, followed by Adelaide at 1.9%. In contrast, growth in Australia’s two largest and priciest cities slowed noticeably. Sydney home values increased just 0.5%, and Melbourne recorded a modest 0.3% rise, reflecting weaker sentiment amid concerns that borrowing costs may stay elevated longer than expected.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut rates three times this year, yet a hotter-than-expected third-quarter inflation report has tempered hopes for further easing. Market pricing now suggests only a 50-50 chance of a rate hike by late 2026. Softer demand was also reflected in auction clearance rates, which hovered in the lower 60–70% range across Sydney and Melbourne through late November—below the decade’s average.
Cotality’s research director Tim Lawless noted that rising inflation and the likelihood of stable or higher interest rates could weigh on housing confidence. He added that stretched affordability is already steering growth toward lower-priced segments of the market. Regulators are also stepping in, with APRA announcing its first cap on high debt-to-income loans beginning February to reduce emerging risks.
Economists expect price growth to moderate in 2026 as affordability worsens, credit conditions tighten, and macroprudential controls increase. AMP chief economist Shane Oliver warned that the outlook for interest rates and regulatory measures will likely contribute to slower gains ahead.
