And prospects for the upcoming holiday hiring season seem to have turned gloomy<\/a>. And it may not only be hiring that will be restrained; prospects for US Black Friday and Thanksgiving holiday retail sales aren’t looking too bright<\/a> as tariff-taxes weigh on the ‘bargains’.<\/p>\n The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index<\/a> fell marginally in October but to a level that is the lowest in six months. These firms say sales increases are harder to find.<\/p>\n But across the Pacific in Japan, the October Economy Watchers Survey<\/a> delivered an upbeat result that was better than expected, not only about current conditions but also the outlook six months ahead.<\/p>\n In China, sales data<\/a> for October shows their car sales rising yet again, up from the high September level to be +8.8% above year-ago levels at 3.3 mln vehicles. NEV sales were again the strongest sector. October sales start the push to the seasonally peak month in December and that will almost certainly come in at a new record month, likely somewhere near 3.8 mln units. That would mean 2025 sales will exceed 35 mln units, almost double that of the US.<\/p>\n In Germany, the latest ZEW survey<\/a> continues the “cautiously optimistic” tone they have had for six month now.<\/p>\n In Australia, the Westpac consumer confidence survey<\/a> was suddenly quite positive, the first positive result since early 2022 and a seven year high. It reported that Christmas spending plans will be less restrained than last year. Consumers think the domestic economy is improving while they think trade risks are subsiding. One group however reported less confidence – those in their ‘mortgage belt. They see interest rate risks along with job security risks.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, there wasn’t the same uplift in business confidence however. The NAB business sentiment survey reported<\/a> little-change in October, just marginally lower than in September.<\/p>\n The UST 10yr yield is now at 4.07%, down -4 bps from yesterday at this time after the ADP payroll news. The key 2-10 yield curve is now at +48 bps. Their 1-5 curve is now +5 bps positive and the 3 mth-10yr curve is now +11 bps positive. The China 10 year bond rate is up +1 bp at 1.81%. The Australian 10 year bond yield starts today at 4.36%, down -2 bps from yesterday. The NZ Government 10 year bond rate starts today at just on 4.15%, up +1 bp.<\/p>\n Wall Street started lower but has turned slightly positive as trading developed, now up +0.2% in their Tuesday trade. European markets were up too between Frankfurt’s +0.6% and Paris’s +1.2%. Tokyo ended yesterday dipping -0.1%. Hong Kong was up +0.2% and Shanghai retreated -0.4%. However Singapore rose a sharpish +1.2%. The ASX200 ended its Tuesday session down -0.2%, while the NZX50 was little-changed.<\/p>\n The price of gold<\/a> will start today at US$4113\/oz, up +US$22 from this time yesterday.<\/p>\n American oil prices are +US$1.50 higher from yesterday at just on US$61\/bbl, with the international Brent price at US$65\/bbl.<\/p>\n The Kiwi dollar is now at just under 56.6 USc, and up almost +30 bps from yesterday. Against the Aussie we are also +30 bps firmer at 86.7 AUc. Against the euro we are unchanged at 48.8 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today at just on 61.1 and up +20 bps from yesterday.<\/p>\n The bitcoin price starts today at US$103,599 and down -1.5% from yesterday. Volatility over the past 24 hours has been modest at just on +\/- 1.9%.<\/p>\n Select chart tabs<\/p>\n US$
\n AU$
\n TWI-5
\n \u00a5en
\n \u00a5uan
\n \u20acuro
\n GBP
\n Bitcoin<\/p>\n
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