Jobs market in focus as investors chew Trump triumph

Australian investors are watching the first days of the new Trump presidency closely. (AP PHOTO)

Australian investors will feast on a smorgasbord of labour market data this week as they digest the ramifications of a second Donald Trump presidency for the global economy.

The Republican septuagenarian's return to the White House has led to expectations inflation could heat up again in the US, given his promises to raise tariffs on imported goods and slash taxes.

That didn't stop the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates for their second meeting in a row by 0.25 per cent on Thursday.

Chair Jerome Powell said the US election results would have no "near-term" impact on policy and questioned if he would step down if asked to do so by the president-elect, he bluntly responded "no".

Mr Powell will give another indication of his thinking at a speech to the Dallas Regional Chamber later this week.

Even before Mr Trump has a chance to put his hands on the economic levers, core US inflation is expected to rise 0.3 per cent when the October consumer price index is released on Wednesday.

Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell
Jerome Powell says he won't resign if asked to by Donald trump.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is still lagging its American counterpart, with no indication it is close to beginning its rate easing cycle.

Governor Michele Bullock told a Senate estimates hearing last week the US election had no impact on her inflation outlook and her recent remarks have signalled greater focus on domestic factors.

Speaking after the RBA board meeting on Tuesday, during which it held the cash rate at 4.35 per cent, she indicated ongoing strength in the labour market was creating upside risks in the inflation outlook.

"Survey measures continue to indicate labour availability is constrained, wages growth has continued to ease, but still generally above rates consistent with inflation targets given the weak productivity growth," she said.

Wages growth is expected to slow to 3.6 per cent when the wage price index is released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday, due largely to a bumper 5.75 per cent increase in award wages dropping out of the data set, said Commsec chief economist Ryan Felsman.

Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock
Michele Bullock insists Donald Trump's election win had no impact on her inflation outlook.

The bureau's labour force survey, to be released the following day, is expected to show an extra 20,000 jobs added to the Australian economy in October, with the unemployment rate edging from 4.1 per cent to 4.2 per cent, according to CBA economists.

They predict the participation rate to remain at a record 67.2 per cent.

An upside surprise to one or both readouts could reinforce the RBA's hawkish tone.

CBA's household spending insights report, alongside consumer and business confidence surveys by Westpac and NAB on Tuesday, will provide a further insights.

Investors on Wall Street have been willing, with the S&P 500 briefly surpassing the 6000 mark and closing Friday with the biggest weekly percentage gain in a year as the Trump win and a possible Republican Party sweep in Congress fuel expectations.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 259.65 points, or 0.59 per cent, to 43,988.99, the S&P gained 22.44 points, or 0.38 per cent, to 5,995.54 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 17.32 points, or 0.09 per cent, to 19,286.78.

The indicator boards at the Australian Securities Exchange
Australian shares rose after two central banks cut interest rates.

Australian futures have meanwhile taken a 36-point, or 0.43 per cent, tumble to 13,388.

However the main local indices climbed for a third consecutive day on Friday on hopes of stimulus from Beijing and Federal Reserve caution when queried on the inflationary outlook under a second Trump presidency.

The S&P/ASX 200 closed 68.8 points, or 0.8 per cent, higher at 8295.1, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 38 points, or 0.8 per cent, to 8552.6.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store