S&P 500 — US Large Cap Index
FTSE 100 — UK Blue Chips
Euro Stoxx 50 — Eurozone Leaders
DAX 40 — German Equities
CAC 40 — French Market Index
Nikkei 225 — Japan Benchmark
Hang Seng — Hong Kong Index
Shanghai Composite — China Mainland
ASX 200 — Australian Market
TSX Composite — Canada Index
Nifty 50 — India Large Cap
STI Index — Singapore Market
KOSPI — South Korea Index
Bovespa — Brazil Equities
JSE Top 40 — South Africa Index
IPC Index — Mexico MarketThe Australian dollar appreciated to around $0.669 on Friday, trading near 14-month highs to kick off the new year positively as investors await next week’s monthly inflation data, which could influence the RBA’s policy stance following its hint at a possible rate hike this year. The central bank’s December meeting minutes showed policymakers are prepared to tighten policy if inflation does not ease as anticipated. Attention will also focus on the Q4 CPI report due January 28, as a stronger-than-expected core inflation print could prompt a move at the RBA’s February 3 meeting. Additionally, sentiment was supported by latest data showing December’s manufacturing activity remained at its highest in three months. The Aussie was further aided by a broadly weaker US dollar amid concerns over the Federal Reserve’s independence under the Trump administration. The Australian dollar ended the year 2025 on a strong note, gaining nearly 8%, its strongest yearly performance since 2020.
