Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
China Holds Loan Prime Rates Steady in January as Market Expectations Align 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
RBA Raises Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Bank of England Expected to Hold Interest Rates at 3.75% as Inflation Remains Elevated 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
MAS Holds Monetary Policy Steady as Strong Growth Raises Inflation Risks 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
The latest U.S. payroll data has shifted market expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts, with traders now forecasting a single reduction in October 2025, according to Bloomberg. Earlier projections suggested a possible rate cut as soon as June or July 2025.
The labor market showed resilience with 256,000 new jobs added in December, surpassing economists' expectations of 155,000. The unemployment rate dipped to 4.1%, slightly better than the projected 4.2%, indicating sustained recovery and growth.
December’s nonfarm payroll increase highlights a U.S. labor market gaining momentum, moving past distortions caused by weather or strikes. The rise in average hourly earnings further supports this trend, growing 0.3% from November to $35.69, marking a 3.9% year-over-year increase.
These strong figures suggest the U.S. economy is less reliant on monetary policy, potentially reinforcing the Federal Reserve’s cautious approach to interest rate adjustments. The robust jobs data has also impacted financial markets, with stock futures experiencing sharp declines as traders brace for a slower pace of rate cuts in the coming months.
With improving employment conditions and wage growth, the Federal Reserve appears set to prioritize economic stability over immediate monetary easing, reshaping market expectations well into 2025.
