RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Best Gold Stocks to Buy Now: AABB, GOLD, GDX 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Lots of economic data and events scheduled for today and some with high volatility risks associated.
Data released so far:
- Australia: Westpac leading index declined 0.1 percent in April. Construction work done in the first quarter declined by 0.7 percent.
Upcoming:
- Japan: Leading economic index and coincident index will be updated at 5:00 GMT.
- Germany: GFK consumer confidence report will be published at 6:00 GMT.
- Switzerland: First quarter industrial production report will be released at 7:15 GMT.
- Eurozone: EU financial stability review report will be released at 9:00 GMT. ECB President Draghi’s speech is scheduled at 12:45 GMT.
- United States: MBA mortgage applications report will be released at 11:00 GMT, followed by House price report at 13:00 GMT, and existing home sales report at 14:00 GMT. EIA will report crude oil inventory details at 14:30 GMT. FOMC will release minutes of meeting report at 18:00 GMT. FOMC member Kaplan is scheduled to speak at 22:00 GMT.
- Canada: Bank of Canada (BoC) will announce interest rate decision at 14:00 GMT.
