Too hot to handle
29 October, 2025
• Fed gyrations. US Fed cut rates but Chair Powell pushed back on views it will go again in December. Higher US yields helped the USD intra-day.• AU CPI. Sizeable upside surprise in Q3 AU inflation. RBA expected to stay on hold. We think this should be AUD supportive over the medium-term.• Macro events. BoJ meets today. ECB holds court tonight. Also on the radar is a meeting between President’s...
AUD: worrisome inflation trends
28 October, 2025
So much for the inflation dragon being slayed. The Q3 Australian CPI data was a jolt to the system. Headline inflation rose 1.3% in Q3 to be 3.2% higher compared to a year ago, while the trimmed mean (the RBA’s preferred gauge which gives a better guide to inflation persistence) rose 1% in the quarter or 3%pa. Inflation momentum has turned up with 3-month and 6-month annualised run-rates at levels...
Australian inflation on the radar
28 October, 2025
• Positive vibes. Gains across the tech-sector pushed US equities to record highs. Base metals rose. AUD outperforms ahead of AU CPI data.• AU inflation. Q3 CPI due today. Acceleration in core inflation forecast. RBA rate cut expectations have been pared back. This might have further to go.• US Fed. Another US Fed rate cut anticipated tomorrow morning. Guidance will be important. USD volatility likely...
Positive risk vibes
26 October, 2025
• Upbeat tone. Softer US inflation, solid PMIs & positive US/China trade talks support risk sentiment. Equities rose. AUD & NZD strengthen.• US Fed. Upside US inflation risks fading while downside jobs risks rising. US Fed looks set to cut rates this week & should keep door open to more.• AU inflation. Gov. Bullock speaks tonight, Q3 CPI due Weds. Monthly data points to uptick in Q3 inflation....
US CPI in focus
23 October, 2025
• Mixed signals. Sanctions on Russian producers boosted oil prices. Limited spillover into other markets. Equities rose. AUD outperformed overnight.• US inflation. US CPI due tonight. US government shutdown delayed it. Diverging ‘goods’ & ‘services’ price trends at play. Data may generate USD vol. Global Trends Geopolitical developments generated a little volatility across...
Swings & roundabouts
22 October, 2025
• Push-pull. Pockets of vol. in some asset classes. US equities eased, bond yields consolidated & USD tread water. AUD & NZD held steady.• US CPI. US Gov. shutdown ongoing. But US CPI will be released Friday night. Diverging trends between ‘goods’ & ‘services’ prices. USD vol. likely.• AU macro. RBA Gov. Bullock speaks tomorrow. Q3 CPI due next week. Firmer inflation...
Risk sentiment turning the corner
20 October, 2025
• Market swings. A few bursts of volatility the past few weeks. Sentiment was positive overnight with the S&P500 rising & AUD clawing back lost ground.• US data. US Government Shutdown remains in place. But given its importance the delayed US CPI report will be released this week (Fri night AEDT).• RBA pricing. Uptick in AU unemployment has seen markets price in a greater chance of another...
No data, no news, no volatility
16 October, 2025
The dollar is cruising toward a third consecutive day of declines and short-term Treasury yields are coming under mild downward pressure as investors firm bets on a fairly-forceful easing path from the Federal Reserve. Most major foreign exchange pairs are caught in narrow trading ranges amid a lack of political and economic catalysts, leaving currencies like the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso almost...
Dollar retreats on dovish messaging from Powell, trade tensions keep simmering
15 October, 2025
The dollar is retreating and benchmark Treasury yields are plumbing four-week lows after Federal Reserve chair Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell refrained from countering market expectations for rate cuts at each of the central bank’s final two meetings this year. Speaking at the National Association for Business Economic annual meeting in Philadelphia yesterday, Powell said the “outlook for employment...
Dollar loses momentum on fading geopolitical risks, Canadian dollar leaps on strong jobs
10 October, 2025
A nascent recovery in the dollar is stalling out this morning as geopolitical risks in the Middle East, Japan, and the euro area show signs of easing. The greenback is down -0.2 percent against a basket of its major counterparts, Treasury yields are edging lower, and US equity indices are setting up for a modestly-positive open. Oil prices are slipping as markets remain oversupplied and risk premia...