BOJ’s Kazuo Ueda Signals Potential Interest Rate Hike as Economic Outlook Improves 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
UK Raises Deposit Protection Limit to £120,000 to Strengthen Saver Confidence 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
New RBNZ Governor Anna Breman Aims to Restore Stability After Tumultuous Years 
RBA Signals Possible Rate Implications as Inflation Proves More Persistent 
Bank of Korea Holds Interest Rates Steady as Weak Won Limits Policy Flexibility 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
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.
