The Reserve Bank of New Zealand stated that it expects the country’s economy to enter a period of strong growth while inflation simultaneously moves toward the 2 percent target. The RBNZ has kept the cash rate at 2.25 percent for now and continues an accommodative policy, as the economy still has spare capacity following the 2024 recession. Officials forecast that economic growth will reach around 2.8 percent by 2027, after which gradual rate increases may be needed. According to the bank’s governor, if this outlook materializes, a gradual rate hike may begin in late 2026. Assistant Governor Karen Silk stated that monetary policy remains accommodative and the rate-cut cycle has ended.

Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, said that the results of the latest round of talks with Russia are still insufficient. He said the discussions on military issues were “important and substantive,” but political matters require further work. Zelensky also called for the next round of talks to be held in February to achieve more progress.

Following geo negotiations that reportedly made little progress, it seems Trump's patience has run out and a 10 to 15-day deadline has been set for an agreement with Iran. Meanwhile, in response to reports of the US considering a limited strike, the Islamic Republic warned that in case of military aggression, it will deliver a "decisive response". Iran stated that it does not seek war, but considers all enemy bases and facilities in the region as legitimate targets. These tensions have raised concerns in global markets, particularly oil, with Brent crude surpassing $70.

The US Supreme Court announced that Donald Trump did not have the authority to use the 1977 emergency law to impose broad tariffs, and these tariffs were deemed illegal. As a result, Trump’s tariffs were revoked and the government is required to refund approximately 170 billion dollars collected as import tariffs. The court’s ruling supported global equities, the US dollar fell in the short term, and gold rose due to uncertainty