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ASX rallies despite rate hike fears
Employment rose by 65,000 in December as unemployment fell to 4.1%, strengthening the labour market ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s upcoming interest rate decision.
- On Thursday, the Australian sharemarket climbed, with the S&P/ASX 200 closing at 8848.70 and snapping a three-day losing streak.
- ABS data showed employed people rose by 65,000 in December and the unemployment rate fell to 4.1 per cent, exceeding the market expectation of 35,000 jobs.
- Corporate catalysts — including Barossa LNG loading — helped lift energy names as Woodside Energy rose to $24.20 and Santos jumped to $6.38.
- Bond markets have fully priced in at least one rate hike by May, and the Aussie dollar jumped 0.81 per cent, buying 68.07.
- Geopolitical developments have temporarily outweighed higher domestic rate risk as investors focused on easing US–Europe trade tensions after US President Donald Trump said a Greenland `framework` had been reached, while economists remain split on a February hike or RBA hold.
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27 Articles
Surprise jobs report boosts chance of February rate rise
SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Johnathan McMenamin from Barrenjoey and Adam Dawes from Shaw and Parnters as Australia's unemployment rate falls from 4.3% to 4.1% in December increasing the chance of an interest rate rise in a fortnight.
·Sydney, Australia
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Times of IndiaReposted by 
The Economic Times
The Economic TimesJobs report shows unemployment down to 4.1%, puts RBA interest rate meeting in focus
Australian labour market data revealed a surprise drop in the unemployment rate to 4.1% in December 2025, exceeding economists' expectations. This strong jobs growth, with a significant increase in full-time employment, has pushed up the probability of an RBA interest rate hike in February 2026, creating complex signals for policymakers.
·India
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources27
Leaning Left5Leaning Right4Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
R 40%
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