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☆ Oil prices ease on fears of weaker demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Emily Chow | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"Hawkish commentary on rates continues to raise concerns of the demand outlook weighing on prices," National Australia Bank analysts said in a note. Higher interest rates could strengthen the greenback, making commodities more expensive for holders of other currencies, and also dampen oil demand. "OPEC+'s multi-output-cuts have kept oil prices above key levels, which may see a further production reduction by the cartel to keep the crude market's stability," said Tina Teng, an analyst at CMC Markets. However, the latest Reuters survey showed OPEC oil output has fallen only slightly in June as increases in Iraq and Nigeria limited the impact of cutbacks by others. U.S. crude output fell in April to 12.615 million barrels per day (bpd), its lowest since February, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said on Friday.

Persons: Brent, WTI, Tina Teng, Baker Hughes, Florence Tan, Emily Chow, Sonali Paul Organizations: PMI, SINGAPORE, U.S . Federal, Brent, . West Texas, National Australia Bank, P Global, Saudi, Petroleum Reserve, CMC, Organization of, Petroleum, U.S . Energy, Administration, Thomson Locations: China, Saudi, U.S, Saudi Arabia, OPEC, Iraq, Nigeria

☆ Oil prices slip on global economic slowdown fears
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices slipped in early Asian trade on Monday as global macroeconomic headwinds and possible further interest rate hikes from the U.S. Federal Reserves offset forecasts of tighter supplies amid OPEC+ cuts. Fears of a further slowdown hurting fuel demand grew after data on Friday showed U.S. inflation still outpacing the central bank's 2% target and stoked expectations it would hike interest rates again. Higher interest rates could strengthen the greenback, making commodities more expensive for holders of other currencies, and also dampen oil demand. However, the latest Reuters survey showed OPEC oil output has fallen only slightly in June as increases in Iraq and Nigeria limited the impact of cutbacks by others. U.S. crude output fell in April to 12.615 million barrels per day, its lowest since February, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said on Friday.

Persons: Brent, WTI, Caixin, Baker Hughes Organizations: U.S . Federal, Brent, . West Texas, National Australia Bank, Saudi, Petroleum Reserve, NAB, Organization of, Petroleum, U.S . Energy, Administration Locations: U.S, China, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Nigeria

☆ Oil rises on large US stock draws, but rate hike fears linger
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Mohi Narayan | Thomson Reuters | Reports On Everything How Asia S Fuel Use Recovers The Fallout Of To Tracking How The Global Energy Transition Impacts Refinery Expansion Plans | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

June 28 (Reuters) - Oil prices edged higher on Wednesday after industry data showed a larger-than-expected drawdown of U.S. inventories, signalling robust demand from the world's biggest oil consumer, but the gains were limited by worries over interest rate hikes. Both contracts had fallen by about 2.5% in the previous session on signals that central banks may not be done with interest rate hikes. "Tuesday's slump took Brent and WTI close to support levels that have held through the price dives of the past couple of months," said Vandana Hari, founder of oil market analysis provider Vanda Insights. Higher interest rates can weigh on economic activity and oil demand. Analysts said that markets have struggled to shake off fears that higher interest rates will weigh on global growth and oil demand.

Persons: Brent, WTI, Vandana Hari, Hari, Christine Lagarde, Mohi Narayan, Arathy Somasekhar, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Jamie Freed, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Brent, U.S, West Texas, Vanda Insights, American Petroleum Institute, Analysts, European Central Bank, Federal Reserve, National Australia Bank, Thomson Locations: Saudi, China

☆ Yen under pressure; Aussie slides as inflation slows
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"We are closely watching currency moves with a strong sense of urgency," Japan's top currency diplomat Masato Kanda told reporters on Wednesday. The yen was hovering around the seven-month low of 144.18 per dollar it touched overnight. Against the euro, the yen was pinned near the 15-year low of 157.93 it hit on Tuesday. Against sterling, the Asian currency was hovering around 183.25, just a shade below the 7.5-year low it touched on Tuesday. In the spot market, the onshore yuan opened at 7.2225 per dollar and was changing hands at 7.2285.

Persons: Masato Kanda, Carol Kong, Kong, Rodrigo Catril, Jerome Powell's, Powell, Andrew Bailey, Christine Lagarde, Kazuo Ueda, Ankur Banerjee, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Jamie Freed Organizations: Bank of Japan, Ministry, Finance, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Federal, Fed, National Australia Bank, European Central Bank, Bank of England, Sterling, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Japan, Sintra , Portugal, Tokyo, Singapore

☆ Dollar flat; Aussie slides as inflation slows
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Australian dollar fell sharply as consumer inflation eased in May. The dollar index is on course to log a decline of about 1.5% for the month. Meanwhile, the Australian dollar fell 0.72% to $0.6637 after the Australian consumer price inflation rate slowed to a 13-month low in May, driven by a sharp pullback in fuel. A measure of core inflation also cooled, in a sign interest rates might not have to rise again in July. The Japanese yen strengthened 0.16% to 143.81 per dollar, but remained close to the seven-month low of 144.18 it touched on Tuesday.

Persons: Rodrigo Catril, Jerome Powell's, Powell, Carol Kong, Bank of England's Andrew Bailey, Christine Lagarde, Kazuo Ueda, Lagarde, Sterling, CBA's Kong, Ankur Banerjee, Muralikumar Organizations: U.S, Federal, Data, Fed, National Australia Bank, European Central Bank, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Bank of England's, Bank, Bank of Japan, Ministry, Finance, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Sintra , Portugal, Singapore

☆ Oil higher on large US stock draws, but rate hike fears linger
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Mohi Narayan | Thomson Reuters | Reports On Everything How Asia S Fuel Use Recovers The Fallout Of To Tracking How The Global Energy Transition Impacts Refinery Expansion Plans | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

June 28 (Reuters) - Oil prices edged higher on Wednesday after industry data showed a larger-than-expected drawdown of U.S. inventories signalling robust demand from the world's biggest oil consumer, but the gains were limited by worries over interest rate hikes. Both contracts had fallen by about 2.5% in the previous session on signals that central banks may not be done with interest rate hikes. "Tuesday's slump took Brent and WTI close to support levels that have held through the price dives of the past couple of months," said Vandana Hari, founder of oil market analysis provider Vanda Insights. Higher interest rates can weigh on economic activity and oil demand. Analysts said that markets have struggled to shake off fears that higher interest rates will weigh on global growth and oil demand.

Persons: Brent, WTI, Vandana Hari, Hari, Christine Lagarde, Mohi Narayan, Arathy Somasekhar, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Jamie Freed Organizations: Brent, U.S, West Texas, Vanda Insights, American Petroleum Institute, Analysts, European Central Bank, Federal Reserve, National Australia Bank, Thomson Locations: Saudi, China

☆ Dollar flat, Aussie slides as inflation slows
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Persons: Rodrigo Catril, Jerome Powell's, Powell, Carol Kong, Bank of England's Andrew Bailey, Christine Lagarde, Kazuo Ueda, Lagarde, Sterling, CBA's Kong Organizations: U.S, Federal, Data, Fed, National Australia Bank, European Central Bank, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Bank of England's, Bank, Bank of Japan, Ministry, Finance Locations: Sintra , Portugal

☆ Oil climbs, markets on edge over darkening growth outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-25 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

S&P 500 futures were 0.2% higher and currency markets were broadly steady. The private Wagner army then withdrew after striking a deal guaranteeing their safety and the exile of their leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, to Belarus. The consequences for the Ukraine war were not clear, though the challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin's authority was the starkest in decades of his leadership. "As such, we are likely to see a marginal uptick in oil prices in the coming days, if the situation does not deteriorate." Elsewhere markets were already on edge about a darkening growth outlook, as China's post-pandemic recovery stalls and global interest rates remain high, and traders were unwilling to take any new positions on the basis of Russian events.

Persons: Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin's, Jorge Leon, Antony Blinken, Ray Attrill, Masato Kanda, Stephen Coates Organizations: Brent, Rystad Energy, National Australia Bank, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Rostov, Moscow, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Sydney, Asia, China, steadied

☆ Oil up, stocks dip after short-lived Russian mutiny
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-25 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SINGAPORE, June 26 (Reuters) - Oil nudged higher in early trade on Monday as an abortive weekend mutiny by Russian mercenaries raised questions about crude supply, though other financial markets started steadily with investors unsure of any further immediate implications. Russian mercenaries made a short-lived rebellion on Saturday, seizing the southern city of Rostov and advancing on Moscow demanding the removal of Russian military commanders in charge of the war in Ukraine. The private Wagner army then withdrew after striking a deal guaranteeing their safety and the exile of their leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, to Belarus. The consequences for the Ukraine war were not clear, though the challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin's authority was the starkest in decades of his leadership. "As such, we are likely to see a marginal uptick in oil prices in the coming days, if the situation does not deteriorate."

☆ Asia stocks subdued after Powell testimony fails to surprise
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

SINGAPORE, June 22 (Reuters) - Asian shares made a tentative start to Thursday after Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell stuck to his recent hawkish tone as investors assess the future rate policy path from the Fed. Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic said on Wednesday the Fed should not raise rates further or it would risk "needlessly" sapping the strength of the U.S. economy. The comments highlight the growing debate at the central bank over when and if the central bank should hike further. "The BoE's conditional guidance put the burden of proof on the data showing more persistent inflation pressures to continue hiking bank rate. Markets will also be awaiting policy decision from Turkey's central bank, with a policy pivot and a sharp rate increase widely expected.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Australia's, Powell, Kevin Cummins, Raphael Bostic, BoE, Taylor Nugent, Sterling, Brent, Lincoln Organizations: Federal, Japan's Nikkei, Fed, NatWest Markets, Atlanta Federal Reserve, Bank of England, Reuters, National Australia Bank, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Asia, Pacific, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Washington, Atlanta, U.S, Turkey's

☆ China's modest rate cut sends stocks lower
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Joice Alves | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, June 20 (Reuters) - European stocks and U.S. futures fell on Tuesday after China cut interest rates by less than expected and the market awaited more detail on Beijing's plans to shore up a stuttering economic recovery. The People's Bank of China lowered the medium-term lending facility rate on Thursday last week. "The meeting helped improve sentiment, but the market also understands that there's strategic competition between the U.S. and China," said Redmond Wong, Greater China market strategist at Saxo Markets. A central banker on Tuesday also hinted there was room for policy adjustment from the current path of aggressive rate hikes. Gold edged up 0.1% to $1,951.74 as the dollar index eased at 102.45 but lacked clear momentum as traders awaited U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's testimony later this week for more direction on the interest rate path.

Persons: Susannah Streeter, Hargreaves Lansdown, Xi, Rodrigo Catril, Issei Kato, Antony Blinken's, Redmond Wong, Jerome Powell's, Brent, Joice Alves, Selena Li, Anisha, Susan Fenton, Jason Neely Organizations: Hargreaves, People's Bank of, National Australia Bank, REUTERS, Citi, U.S, Saxo Markets, Reserve Bank, Australia's, Bank of England, Federal, Thomson Locations: China, Asia, U.S, Beijing, People's Bank of China, Tokyo, Japan, United States, Greater China, German, London, Hong Kong, Bengaluru

China cut its benchmark loan prime rates (LPR) for the first time in 10 months on Tuesday, with a smaller-than-expected 10-basis point reduction in the five-year LPR. China's benchmark CSI (.CSI300) slipped 0.17%, with the real estate index (.CSI931775) falling 1.9%, its biggest daily decline in a month. "I don't think they (the LPR cuts) are going to move the needle at all," said Redmond Wong, Greater China market strategist at Saxo Markets. He said a 15 basis-point cut would have sent a "stronger message" that could boost sentiment in China's property sector. The People's Bank of China lowered the medium-term lending facility rate on Thursday last week.

Persons: Redmond Wong, Xi, Rodrigo Catril, Antony Blinken's, Saxo's Wong, Brent, Selena Li, Joice Alves, Anisha Sircar, Susan Fenton Organizations: CSI, Saxo Markets, People's Bank of, National Australia Bank Senior, Citi, U.S, Reserve Bank, Australia's, Bank of England, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, China, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Greater China, Beijing, People's Bank of China, United States, Hong Kong, London

☆ Yuan slides after China cuts lending benchmarks; Aussie down
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"Markets were expecting bigger support and were hoping for a larger LPR cut," said currency strategist Christopher Wong at OCBC. It's probably going to be more targeted," said currency strategist Moh Siong Sim at Bank of Singapore. "The minutes were interpreted by market participants as dovish," said currency strategist Carol Kong at Commonwealth Bank of Australia. The yen has come under renewed pressure amid rising interest rate differentials between Japan and other developed markets. Sterling edged 0.06% higher to $1.2798, ahead of British inflation data and the Bank of England's (BoE) interest rate decision later in the week.

Persons: Christopher Wong, Moh Siong Sim, Carol Kong, Min Joo Kang, BoE, Rodrigo Catril, Rae Wee, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Bank of Singapore, Reserve Bank of Australia's, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, New Zealand, Bank of Japan's, ING, South, Central Bank, Sterling, Bank of England's, National Australia Bank, Bank of England, U.S ., Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, China, OCBC, Japan, South Korea

☆ Asia shares fall on China's modest rate cut
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Selena Li | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HONG KONG, June 20 (Reuters) - Stocks in Asia fell on Tuesday as investors worried China's latest rate cut was not enough to boost confidence in the weakening economy and awaited a wider stimulus package by Beijing. China, in a highly anticipated move, cut two key benchmark lending rates for the first time in 10 months on Tuesday, with its one-year loan prime rate (LPR) lowered by 10 basis points to 3.55% and the five-year LPR cut by the same margin to 4.20%. "I don't think they (the LPR cuts) are going to move the needle at all," said Redmond Wong, Greater China market strategist at Saxo Markets. He said a 15 basis-point cut would be a "stronger message" to boost China's property sector. The People’s Bank of China lowered the medium-term lending facility rate on Thursday last week.

Persons: China's, Redmond Wong, Xi, Rodrigo Catril, Goldman Sachs, Antony Blinken, Saxo's Wong, Brent, Selena Li, Sonali Paul Organizations: CSI, Saxo Markets, People’s Bank of, National Australia Bank Senior, U.S, Japan's Nikkei, Treasury, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Asia, Beijing, China, Pacific, Japan, U.S, Greater China, People’s Bank of China, United States, Hong Kong

☆ Dollar buoyant; yuan wobbles after China cuts lending benchmarks
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. dollar rose broadly on Tuesday and notched a seven-month high against the yen, while the yuan slipped after China cut two benchmark lending interest rates for the first time in 10 months. The offshore yuan dipped slightly following the decision and was down more than 0.1% at 7.1734 per dollar, languishing near last week's roughly seven-month low. The yen has come under renewed pressure amid rising interest rate differentials between Japan and other developed markets globally. Sterling rose 0.05% to $1.2797, ahead of British inflation data and the Bank of England's interest rate decision later in the week. Against a basket of currencies, the U.S. dollar rose 0.03% to 102.51.

Persons: it's, Rodrigo Catril, Min Joo Kang, Sterling, BoE, NAB's Organizations: U.S, National Australia Bank, NAB, Bank of, ING, South, Reserve Bank of, New Zealand, Central Bank, Bank of England Locations: China, United States, Asia, Japan, South Korea

☆ Asian stocks pause rally, eyeing China stimulus, Powell testimony
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Stella Qiu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Both S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures were mostly flat after Wall Street's bullish run met resistance on Friday. Cash U.S. Treasuries were untraded due to the Juneteenth holiday, while futures were largely steady. The People's Bank of China is widely expected to cut its benchmark loan prime interest rates on Tuesday, following a similar reduction in medium-term policy loans last week. Several major banks last week cut their growth forecasts for China after the recent disappointing data. U.S. crude futures fell 1.0% to 71.03 per barrel, and Brent crude was down 1.3% at $75.63 per barrel.

Persons: BOE, Jerome Powell's, bullish, HSI, Morgan Stanley, Robin Xing, Antony Blinken, Xi Jinping, POWELL, Powell, Ray Attrill, Brent, Stella Qiu, Christopher Cushing, Tom Hogue Organizations: Nikkei, . Federal, Nasdaq, Cash U.S, Japan's Nikkei, Bank of Japan's, U.S ., People's Bank of, National Australia Bank, The Bank of England, European Central Bank, Thomson Locations: China, SYDNEY, Asia, Pacific, Japan, People's Bank of China, .

☆ Australian businesses, consumers at risk of sharp slowdown ahead
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Stella Qiu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"There is a growing risk that the RBA's attempts to maintain an even keel 'run aground,'" said NAB Chief Economist Alan Oster. The survey, however, pointed to persistent price pressures, with the measure of labour costs and purchase costs accelerating, in a concern for the RBA. NAB on Tuesday raised its call on peak rates in the current cycle, adding two more quarter-point hikes to 4.6%. Markets are now pricing the risk of two more hikes, and see rates staying elevated for the remainder of the year. CONSUMERS UNDER THE PUMPData from Westpac and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) also points to the strains consumers are feeling as high living costs and surging mortgage rates erode spending power.

Persons: Alan Oster, Bill Evans, Belinda Allen, Stella Qiu, Kim Coghill, Jamie Freed Organizations: NAB, RBA Westpac, SYDNEY, National Australia Bank, Reserve Bank of Australia, Westpac, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Melbourne Institute, CBA, Thomson

Companies United States of America FollowJune 13 (Reuters) - Oil prices traded up on Tuesday on bargain hunting, recovering some ground from the previous day's plunge, but gains were limited as investors remained cautious ahead of key policy decisions by the U.S. Federal Reserve and other central banks. Oil prices could fall further because of China's faltering economic recovery, he added, predicting WTI would trade in the range of $62.50 to $75 a barrel during the summer, but mainly below $70 a barrel. Most market participants expect the U.S. central bank to leave interest rates unchanged at its policy meeting. The Fed's rate hikes have strengthened the greenback, making dollar-denominated commodities more expensive for holders of other currencies and weighing on prices. "In our view, the latest fall in oil prices increases the probability Saudi Arabia will at least extend supply cuts currently in place for July," said National Australia Bank analysts in a note.

Persons: Tatsufumi Okoshi, Nomura's Okoshi, Yuka Obayashi, Emily Chow, Jamie Freed, Sonali Paul Organizations: U.S . Federal Reserve, . West Texas, Nomura Securities, European Central Bank, Bank of Japan, of Petroleum Exporting, International Energy Agency, National Australia Bank, Thomson Locations: States, America, Saudi Arabia, U.S, China, Saudi, Tokyo, Singapore

☆ Westpac to layoff 300 workers in business and retail unit, says trade union
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 12 (Reuters) - Australian lender Westpac Banking Corp (WBC.AX) will cut around 300 jobs in its consumer and business banking segments at a time of strong profit growth amid rising interest rates and soaring inflation, a local trade body said. The Finance Sector Union of Australia (FSU) said on Friday the country's third-largest bank would reduce headcount from its Consumer and Business Banking Division, citing a Westpac internal memo seen by the union. 2 mortgage provider reported a 22% rise in its first half net profit to A$4.00 billion ($2.70 billion) amid a high-inflationary environment. The bank could not be reached immediately for a comment on account of a public holiday on Monday. ($1 = 1.4839 Australian dollars)Reporting by Rishav Chatterjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi AichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Julia Angrisano, Rishav Chatterjee, Rashmi Organizations: Westpac Banking Corp, Finance Sector Union of Australia, FSU, Consumer, Business Banking, Westpac, Reuters, ANZ Group, National Australia Bank, DBS, Australia's, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ Australia recession risk heightens after RBA warns of bumpy path to low inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Stella Qiu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

For a year, Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Philip Lowe has been talking of successfully navigating a narrow path to lower inflation while keeping unemployment near 50-year lows. He expects quarterly growth to average just a 0.1% over the next four quarters, with a 50% chance that the economy would enter a recession. Jonathan Kearns, chief economist at investment firm Challenger and a former RBA executive, says the risk of trying to hold on to job gains was that higher inflation expectations hardened and kept the actual inflation rate high. And pushing rates higher is increasing the chance that Australia goes into a recession," said Kearns, who headed the RBA's domestic markets department until earlier this year. A survey of union officials cited by Lowe showed that medium-term inflation expectations have risen to a 3-4% range.

Persons: Philip Lowe, Lowe, Paul Bloxham, HSBC's, Bloxham, Jonathan Kearns, Kearns, Ivan Colhoun, Stella Qiu, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: CBA, HSBC, SYDNEY, Reserve Bank of Australia, Global Commodities, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Challenger, National Australia Bank, Thomson Locations: Australia, New Zealand

☆ Dollar steady as traders consider Fed, global rates outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The increased expectations that U.S. and global interest rates may have further to rise has come on the back of surprise rate increases by the Bank of Canada (BoC) and the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) this week. The Canadian dollar was last steady at C$1.3365 to the greenback, after rising to a one-month top of C$1.3321 in the previous session. The U.S. dollar index dipped slightly to 104.02, though strayed not too far from an over two-month high hit last week, on the back of higher Treasury yields. Money markets are pricing in a 29% chance that the Fed raises rates by 25bps at its policy meeting next week. "Markets have raised their FOMC rate hike expectations following a surprise Bank of Canada rate hike," said Carol Kong, a currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Persons: Edward Moya, Carol Kong, Ray Attrill Organizations: Treasury, U.S . Federal Reserve, Bank of Canada, BoC, Reserve Bank of Australia, Wednesday, Canadian, U.S, European Central Bank, 25bps, of Canada, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank Locations: Chicago, Asia

☆ Dollar sags as Fed bets ebb, debt bill passes; Aussie soars
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Australian dollar surged after an increase in the minimum wage stoked bets for the central bank to raise rates again next week. A day earlier, Fed Governor Philip Jefferson had said that "skipping a rate hike at a coming meeting would allow the committee to see more data before making decisions about the extent of additional policy firming." "Maybe they hike in June, maybe in July, or maybe they don't hike any more." Money markets currently see about 29% odds of a hike, down from near 70% earlier in the week. Traders currently lay about one-third odds on a quarter-point rate hike on Tuesday.

Persons: Patrick Harker, Philip Jefferson, Shinichiro Kadota, Christine Lagarde, Joe Biden, Monday's, Ray Attrill, NAB's, Kevin Buckland, Sam Holmes Organizations: U.S, Federal Reserve, Australian, Philadelphia Fed, Barclay, European Central Bank, National Australia Bank, Traders, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, U.S, Tokyo

☆ Australia hikes minimum wage as living costs surge
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Stella Qiu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Steven Saphore/File PhotoSYDNEY, June 2 (Reuters) - Australia will raise the minimum wage by 5.75% from July 1 as families grapple with soaring living costs, a decision that businesses and some economists say risks further stoking inflation and interest rates. The independent Fair Work Commission (FWC) on Friday decided on a 5.75% pay rise for workers on awards with wages linked to movement in the minimum wage. It also made a technical reclassification for the national minimum wage, which the union says will take the increase to 8.6% for the lowest-paid employees, about 0.7% of the workforce. "Following several recent developments, including the outcome of today's minimum wage decision, we are adding a 25bp hike to our RBA profile in June and another 25bp in July." "Today's increase means these workers can keep their heads above water and not have to cut back even further."

Persons: Steven Saphore, Lin Ong, Philip Lowe, Taylor Nugent, Adam Hatcher, Hatcher, Andrew McKellar, Sally McManus, Stella Qiu, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, RBC Capital Markets, Reserve Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australian Council of Trade Unions, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Lincoln

☆ Fed 'skip' chatter triggers dollar's biggest weekly fall since January
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Amanda Cooper | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Australian dollar surged after an increase in the minimum wage there stoked bets for another raise in rates next week. The dollar index , which measures the U.S. currency against six others, has dropped nearly 0.8% this week, its biggest weekly loss since mid-January. Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker said on Thursday "it's time to at least hit the stop button for one meeting and see how it goes", referring to the June 13-14 Fed meeting. Money markets are pricing in a roughly 29% chance of a June hike, down from near 70% earlier in the week. Even if a hike doesn't happen next week, markets expect one by autumn.

Persons: Fiona Cincotta, let's, Patrick Harker, Philip Jefferson, Guy Miller, Christine Lagarde, Joe Biden, Monday's, Ray Attrill, Dhara Ranasinghe, Kevin Buckland, Mark Heinrich, Mark Potter, Andrew Heavens Organizations: Federal Reserve, Australian, City Index, Philadelphia Fed, Reuters, Zurich Insurance, European Central Bank, U.S . Senate, National Australia Bank, NAB, Traders, Reserve Bank of Australia, Thomson Locations: U.S, City, April's, London, Tokyo

☆ Investors relieved after US House votes to suspend debt ceiling
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Caroline Valetkevitch | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Asian markets were trading higher when the bill cleared the house and held their gains. Treasury yields rose marginally. The bill would suspend the federal government's borrowing limit until 2025, allowing the Treasury to sell debt to pay its obligations. Two-year Treasury yields rose 2.7 basis points to 4.417%, while currency markets were broadly steady. Debt ceiling concerns periodically weighed on stock markets over the last week, although most investors expected an 11th-hour agreement.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Joe Biden's, Ray Attrill, Biden, Brad McMillan, Jarrod Kerr, Caroline Valetkevitch, Kevin Buckland, Rae Wee, Ira Iosebashvili, David Gregorio, Lincoln Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Investors, U.S . House, Senate, Republican, National Australia Bank, Treasury, White, Commonwealth Financial Network, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Tokyo, Singapore

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