FEAR & GREED | Business News Afternoon Report | Fed keeps rates on hold
Jan 29, 2026
Markets jitter as Iran worries push gold to record highs and miners rally. Central bank pauses on rates while signalling a data-driven path forward. Leaders scramble over hospital funding negotiations. Tech hiccups force an urgent Apple software rollback. Major corporate restructuring as Amazon cuts 16,000 roles to pivot toward AI.
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Commodities Rally On Iran Risk
- Geopolitical fears pushed investors into safe havens like gold and copper, lifting miners' shares.
- The ASX 200 ended flat after earlier drops as gold hit a fresh record and commodity stocks diverged.
Fed Holds Rates Amid Divergent Views
- The US Federal Reserve held rates at 3.5–3.75% and signalled no rush to cut despite elevated inflation.
- Two governors dissented for a quarter-point cut, showing some internal policy disagreement.
Watch Health Funding Talks Closely
- Expect rapid negotiations as the Prime Minister meets states to finalise five-year health funding deals.
- Track outcomes closely since Canberra warned it has options if states refuse the offer.