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Japan, U.S. Discuss Yen Weakness as Currency Intervention Concerns Grow 
Gold Price Rises as Investors Weigh U.S.-Iran Talks and Fed Policy Outlook 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oil Rebounds Amid Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Japan Keeps Markets Guessing as Yen Nears 40-Year Low, Raising Intervention Risks 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Yen Near 40-Year Low as USD/JPY Approaches Key 162 Level, Raising Intervention Concerns 
100+ Global Companies Push Governments to Prioritize Electrification for Economic Growth 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Supply Concerns 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Oil Prices Fall as Iran Peace Talks Progress, Hormuz Reopens, and U.S. SPR Hits 1983 Low 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Rally Pauses, South Korean Chipmakers Lead Regional Decline 
China Keeps Loan Prime Rates Unchanged for 13th Straight Month as Policymakers Prioritize Credit Demand Recovery 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
US Stock Futures Recover as Iran Signals Progress in Peace Talks 
Dollar Holds Firm as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Tensions, GBP/USD Slips Amid UK Political Uncertainty 
Australian shares surged to a record high on Friday, fueled by investor optimism over potential interest rate cuts next month following weaker-than-expected inflation data.
The S&P/ASX 200 index climbed 0.4% to 8,524.60 points as of 02:32 GMT, after hitting a new peak of 8,566.90 points earlier in the session. The index was on track for its strongest weekly gain since December.
Market sentiment turned bullish after Australia’s trimmed mean inflation—the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) preferred measure—fell to 3.2% in Q4 2024, below the forecasted 3.4%. This unexpected decline strengthened expectations that the RBA could cut interest rates as early as February 18 to ease mortgage pressures.
Analysts at ANZ (ASX:ANZ) and Westpac (ASX:WBC) predict a rate cut next month, with Westpac forecasting further reductions in May, August, and November, bringing the cash rate to 3.35% by year-end. However, both banks emphasized that RBA’s decisions remain data-dependent.
Gains were broad-based, with most sectors rallying. The ASX 300 Metals & Mining index jumped over 1%, led by Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) and BHP Group (ASX:BHP). The All Ordinaries Gold index rose 2.6% on firmer gold prices, while the ASX 200 Energy index gained alongside higher oil prices.
However, financial stocks remained subdued as lower interest rate expectations pressured the sector. Despite the strong market response, analysts caution that the RBA may take a cautious approach, ensuring inflation remains within the 2-3% target range before committing to further cuts.
