In April, Australian household spending registered only a marginal increase, underscoring a persistent lag in consumer demand relative to income growth. This trend emerges despite the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) recent interest rate cuts and a general easing of inflationary pressures. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that the seasonally adjusted Monthly Household Spending Indicator (MHSI) rose a mere 0.1% in April, following a 0.1% decline in March. The subdued consumption figures highlight ongoing challenges in stimulating domestic demand, a critical driver of Australia’s economic growth.

Global financial markets opened the week on a cautious note as U.S.–China trade frictions intensified and investors braced for key labor data from the United States alongside anticipated monetary easing from the European Central Bank (ECB). The U.S. dollar (USD) declined against a basket of major currencies, while equities across Asia and Europe, particularly in the steel and aluminum sectors, faced downward pressure.

Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. $7201.T, the country’s third-largest car manufacturer, is reportedly exploring raising more than ¥1 trillion (approximately $7 billion USD) through a combination of debt issuance and asset sales. According to Bloomberg News, Nissan is planning to issue convertible bonds and high-yield debt in multiple currencies, including U.S. dollar and euro-denominated bonds, as well as a government-backed syndicated loan guaranteed by the UK. This capital-raising initiative comes amid ongoing global economic uncertainty and increasing financing needs in the automotive sector.