Asia-Pacific stocks edge higher as U.S. Fed commits to continuing to support the economy CNBC 12/16/2020 Eustance Huang
Australia s unemployment rate in November was at 6.8%, according to seasonally adjusted estimates released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday. That compared against October s 7% unemployment rate.
The U.S. Federal Reserve said it will buy at least $120 billion of bonds each month until substantial further progress has been made toward the Committee s maximum employment and price stability goals.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell also said on Wednesday that stock prices are not necessarily highly priced given how low interest rates are.
Asia stocks mixed thestandard.com.hk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thestandard.com.hk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 0.18% to close at 26,806.67 while the Topix index ended its trading day 0.32% higher at 1,792.58. South Korea s Kospi, however, closed slightly lower at 2,770.43.
Shares in Australia jumped, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 1.16% on the day to 6,756.70.
Australia s unemployment rate in November was at 6.8%, according to seasonally adjusted estimates released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday. That compared against October s 7% unemployment rate. Economists polled by Reuters had expected the unemployment rate in November to stay at 7%.
MSCI s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan gained 0.47%.
The Fed said it will buy at least $120 billion of bonds each month until substantial further progress has been made toward the Committee s maximum employment and price stability goals, according to its post-meeting statement. The U.S. central bank also kept benchmark interest rates near zero, as expected, following the conclusion of its
Extra $1 billion for aged care but budget still faces record debt and deficit
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Extra $1 billion for aged care but budget still faces record debt and deficit
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An extra $1 billion will be injected into the aged care system by the Morrison government as part of its mid-year budget update with high iron ore prices boosting revenue and spending pressures reduced as the economy bounces back from the coronavirus recession.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Health Minister Greg Hunt will on Wednesday reveal an extra 10,000 home care packages, at a cost of $850 million, to be funded as the government expands its response to the Aged Care Royal Commission.