Asia Stocks Pause as Tech Earnings, Fed Signals, and Dollar Weakness Drive Markets 
Copper Prices Hit Record Highs as Metals Rally Gains Momentum on Geopolitical Tensions 
Wall Street Slips as Tech Stocks Slide on AI Spending Fears and Earnings Concerns 
UK Vehicle Production Falls Sharply in 2025 Amid Cyberattack, Tariffs, and Industry Restructuring 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
Oil Prices Surge Toward Biggest Monthly Gains in Years Amid Middle East Tensions 
Asian Stocks Waver as Trump Signals Fed Pick, Shutdown Deal and Tech Earnings Stir Markets 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Retreats After Fed Decision 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
U.S. and El Salvador Sign Landmark Critical Minerals Agreement to Boost Investment and Trade 
Oil Prices Hit Four-Month High as Geopolitical Risks and Supply Disruptions Intensify 
Gold Prices Pull Back After Record Highs as January Rally Remains Strong 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
Bank of Canada Holds Interest Rate at 2.25% Amid Trade and Global Uncertainty 
South Korea Industry Minister Heads to Washington Amid U.S. Tariff Hike Concerns 
Gold Prices Hit Record High Above $5,500 as Iran Strike Fears Fuel Safe-Haven Demand 
In January 2025, the Australian labor market was complex, as the recent Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) report shows. The unemployment rate increased by a mere 0.1 percentage point to 4.1%. This increase is a situation where the expansion of the labor force outpaced the capacity to generate employment during the period.
Despite the rise in unemployment, total employment showed impressive growth as the economy added 44,000 jobs. It is a growth rate of 0.3%, led primarily by growth in full-time employment, which added 54,100 jobs. Meanwhile, part-time employment registered minimal contraction, testifying to the character of change in labor forces.
Participation rate reached as high as 67.3%, reflecting higher labor force participation. The rate of underemployment was at 6.0%, though combined underutilization rate rose to 10.1%. It reflects that as more individuals participate in the labor force, there is still a high percentage struggling with unemployment or underemployment, reflecting that full and effective use of the labor force is still a problem.
