February
Sticky US inflation just made the RBA’s cut call harder
Four months after the Fed cut rates, inflationary pressures appear to be building in the US. The lesson is unlikely to be lost on the Reserve Bank.
US CPI data points to prolonged rate hold: economists
Consumer prices rose at a faster pace than expected last month, and the probability of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve has fallen, economists and strategists say.
US inflation rises broadly, further denting rate cut prospects
Higher prices for car insurance, airfares and a record monthly increase in the cost of prescription drugs paced the rise in core prices.
Powell tells Congress Fed still in no rush to lower rates
In his prepared remarks, the Federal Reserve chairman said the jobs markets was “broadly in balance” and inflation expectations appear “well-anchored”.
‘Trade war on steroids’: Trump launches markets gamble
The president bets he can achieve his aims through tariffs without igniting inflation or a sell-off in American stocks.
Key Fed inflation gauge ends 2024 with a muted advance
On a three-month annualised basis – seen as a more accurate picture of the trajectory of inflation – the core PCE price gauge rose 2.2 per cent, the least since July.
January
This is what higher for longer looks like
Jerome Powell was careful not to mention the president by name, but his shadow is a big reason the US central bank is sitting on its hands.
Trump lashes Powell after Fed keeps rates on hold
The president sharply criticised the Federal Reserve for defying his calls to lower interest rates, and instead signalling a new wait-and-see approach.
Fed gets greenlight to, at least, slow rate cuts: Wall Street view
Bank of America thinks that the US rate-cutting cycle is over, though Oxford Economics is still holding to its base forecast of three cuts, starting in March.
US economy smashes job expectations, unemployment rate drops
Nonfarm payrolls increased 256,000 last month, the most since March, bolstering the case for a pause in Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.
Will Trump fire Jerome Powell?
When it comes to the US economy, the spotlight is on whom the president-elect might try to dismiss rather than whom he plans to appoint.
December 2024
Chook awards for 2024 and stock picks for 2025
James and Anthony bring 2024 home to roost with the Annual Chook Awards. Plus get some sharemarket tips from a fund manager with a nearly $8 billion portfolio.
Inflation risk crashes into political risk
Market tantrums and the fall in the Australian dollar in response to the US Fed show that next year is likely to be even more volatile.
ASX dives 2pc; Shayne Elliott’s $3m bonus hit; JobKeeper ‘saved jobs’
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
The Fed just killed the Santa rally
Jerome Powell gave investors a rate cut. But what sent Wall Street plunging was his message for 2025.
The Fed and Trump’s intentions will converge sooner than later
Policymakers will have to make assumptions about what the Trump administration will do, though for now, they can focus on the economy’s persistent momentum.
Pace of US rate cuts set to slow in 2025: Wall St economists
The probability of a rate cut this month has risen, though the outlook is less clear as inflation continues to hold above the Federal Reserve’s 2 per cent target.
US inflation ticks up but Fed ready for rate cut
Consumer prices rose 2.7 per cent in the year to November, up from 2.6 per cent in October, lifting the probability of another quarter point cut.
Trump says he’s unlikely to fire Jerome Powell
In a TV interview, the president-elect also said he would pardon the January 6 Capitol rioters on day one, while vowing to lock up his political foes.
Fed on track to cut rates: Wall Street’s view of jobs data
November’s payrolls report keeps open the door for a quarter point rate cut this month, though next week’s CPI data still needs to be cleared.