Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
According to Statistics Canada's preliminary estimate, retail sales increased by a strong 0.4% month-over-month (m/m) in September. When inflation was taken into account, the gain was even more noticeable, with retail sales volume increasing by 0.8% month over month.
Sales at auto and parts dealers were a weaker sector, declining by 0.7% month over month following two months of improvement. Additionally, overall retail sales were impacted by decreasing gas costs. Although they climbed by 3.2% m/m in real terms, gas station and fuel vendor receipts decreased by 2.3% m/m in nominal terms.
Core retail sales up 1.4% month over month in September, excluding sales of cars and receipts from petrol stations. Strong results in food and beverage stores (+3.0% m/m) and building material and garden equipment stores (+3.0% m/m) were the main drivers of this expansion. Additionally, e-commerce revenues increased by 3.3% month over month after declining by 1.5% the month before.
As the third quarter came to a close, retail sales picked up steam, increasing 3.5% on a quarterly (q/q) annualized basis. Real consumption spending is expected to increase by 1.5–2.0% in the third quarter as a result of this strong finish.
