Markets Overview
- ASX SPI 200 futures up 0.2% to 7,513.00
- Dow Average down 0.4% to 33,926.01
- Aussie down 2.3% to 0.6913 per US$
- U.S. 10-year yield rose 13.1bps to 3.5246%
- Australia 3-year bond yield fell 14 bps to 3.01%
- Australia 10-year bond yield fell 16 bps to 3.38%
- Gold spot down 2.5% to $1,864.97
- Brent futures down 2.7% to $79.94/bbl
Economic Events
- 11:00: (AU) Jan. Melbourne Institute Inflation, prior 5.9%
- 11:00: (AU) Jan. Melbourne Institute Inflation, prior 0.2%
- 11:30: (AU) 4Q Retail Sales Ex Inflation QoQ, est. -0.5%, prior 0.2%
The RBA is all but certain to increase interest rates at its first meeting of the year, with most economists and traders seeing the Reserve Bank lifting its cash rate by a quarter-point on Tuesday to 3.35%, the highest level since September 2012.
Other News
A dog named Bobi who lives in Portugal has been declared as both the world’s oldest living dog, and the world’s oldest dog ever, Guinness World Records announced Thursday.
Born on May 11, 1992, Bobi is now 30 years and 267 days old, the Guinness World Records said. He is a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, a breed known for protecting livestock, according to the American Kennel Club. Rafeiro do Alentejo dogs have an average life expectancy of 12 to 14 years, Guinness said.
Bobi’s age was verified by SIAC, a pet database authorized by the Portuguese government, Guinness said.
Bobi is very calm and sociable, his family told Guinness, adding that he loves to be pet, enjoys playing with his four cat siblings, and likes to walk around the family’s farm. Bobi can also be found relaxing by the fireplace on colder days.
Due to Bobi’s old age, walking is difficult, his family told Guinness. They say his eyesight has worsened, and he often will bump into miscellaneous things.
The previous record-holder for oldest dog ever was Bluey, an Australian cattle-dog who lived to be 29 years and 5 months old, Guinness said.
(CBS News)
