Wrapping up its December policy meeting, the Reserve Bank of Australia kept the cash rate unchanged at 4.35% but softened its hawkish stance. The statement omitted a previous line that the RBA Board was “not ruling anything in or out” as well as policy needing to remain restrictive.
It is difficult to say the dollar-won rate has stabilised and the market is in a wait-and-see mood, Bank of Korea Governor Rhee Chang-yong said in a meeting with lawmakers, according to the report.
Oil prices slipped on Tuesday as concerns eased about the fallout from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s overthrow, but the market found support in China’s vow to ramp up policy stimulus, which could boost the top global crude buyer’s demand.
Bitcoin fell on Tuesday, extending losses and headlining declines among broader cryptocurrencies as risk sentiment soured amid increased geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over U.S. interest rates.
Crude oil for January delivery was down 0.63% or 0.43 to $67.94 a barrel. Elsewhere in commodities trading, Brent oil for delivery in February fell 0.58% or 0.42 to hit $71.72 a barrel, while the February Gold Futures contract rose 0.14% or 3.89 to trade at $2,689.69 a troy ounce.
