This Month
- Opinion
- Inflation
The Fed’s humiliating reversal is toxic for stocks
The US central bank’s belated acknowledgement of re-accelerating inflation and the risks flowing from Donald Trump’s policies could trigger a sustained market downturn.
- Updated
- Christopher Joye
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.
- Opinion
- Government debt
I’m the guy Barron’s called the Bond King. Here’s why US debt is a problem
There is the real possibility of a quasi-default by the Treasury and few are likely to be spared from the resulting upheaval.
- Jeffrey Gundlach
Shares, dollar slammed after Fed walks back rate cut plans
The Australian dollar tumbled to a two-year low and investors sold off stocks after US policymakers predicted just two rate cuts in 2025 – fewer than the market hoped for.
- Updated
- Cecile Lefort
Traders dial up bets for February RBA rate cut
Money markets are slowly dialling up expectations for an early cut from the Reserve Bank in 2025. It’s a different story for New Zealand, which is now in a recession.
- Updated
- Cecile Lefort and Sarah Jones
- Opinion
- Global economy
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.
- Jennifer Hewett
ASX dives 2pc; Shayne Elliott’s $3m bonus hit; JobKeeper ‘saved jobs’
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
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.
- James Thomson
US November retail sales rev higher on new motor vehicles
Retail sales jumped 0.7 per cent last month, more than expected, and October’s sales were revised higher, consistent with the economy’s underlying momentum.
- Lucia Mutikani
ASX to fall, Santa rally on hold as Federal Reserve mulls Trump 2.0
Australian shares are set to drop at the opening bell on Monday as traders sour on the post-election surge that’s driven markets for much of the past month.
- Joshua Peach
- Opinion
- Interest rates
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.
- Bill Dudley
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.
- Timothy Moore
- Updated
- Monetary policy
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.
- Updated
- Matthew Cranston
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.
- Peter Baker
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.
- Timothy Moore
US payrolls rebound, economy adds 227,000 jobs
The unemployment rate edged higher to 4.2 per cent, pointing to cooling demand for workers and confirming the case for a rate cut this month.
- Augusta Saraiva
Victoria’s asset sale; MinRes’ gag request; Wesfarmers’ rates alert
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
Powell shrugs off Trump’s plan for a ‘shadow’ Fed chairman
The US central bank chief said his institution has “broad support” on Capitol Hill, and was confident of a solid relationship with the new Treasury secretary.
- Colby Smith
US Fed keep options open for December rate cut
Financial markets are focused on the last US Federal Reserve meeting for the year, but officials are keeping their cards close to their chest.
- Craig Torres and Jonnelle Marte
The new world order looks like mercantilism
The chaotic politics of the past 16 years masked the steady development of a new economic order, but trade and the economy aren’t zero-sum games.
- John Authers