Australian House Prices Extend Gains as Affordability Worsens

OPEC+ members are poised to agree on a mechanism for reviewing their individual oil production capacities, a crucial step that will influence output quotas set for 2027. This review process is expected to be discussed in an upcoming meeting, reflecting the group's ongoing strategy to manage oil supply effectively.

The US options market is facing heightened concerns regarding 'concentration risk' as it approaches a sixth consecutive year of record trading volume. Industry leaders are increasingly worried about the market's dependence on a limited number of banks to facilitate trades for major market makers, raising alarms about potential vulnerabilities in the system.

Global bond investors are increasingly viewing select emerging markets as safer investment options compared to the United States, marking a significant shift in market dynamics. This trend is expected to influence the performance of bonds in these regions positively, as investors seek stability amid global uncertainties.

Australian house prices continued to rise in November, as reported by Cotality, amidst a backdrop of record unaffordability. This trend is attributed to demand outpacing supply, which has significant implications for the housing market.

Switzerland has voted against implementing a 50% inheritance tax on its wealthiest residents, following threats from affluent entrepreneurs to relocate their businesses abroad. This decision reflects the country's ongoing struggle to balance taxation and economic competitiveness.

In 2025, European stock markets have shown remarkable performance, with every second index among the top 20 best-performing stock markets globally, highlighting a rare dominance in the financial landscape. This trend reflects a significant recovery in investor sentiment and market confidence in Europe.

The Bloomberg Africa Business Summit brought together influential leaders, investors, and innovators to discuss the transformative forces shaping Africa's economic future, covering topics such as policy changes, technological advancements, and sustainability. Key figures included Patrice Motsepe, Emrie Brown, Hassan El Khatib, Benjamin Hung, and Ronald Lamola, who shared insights on the continent's growth trajectory.

China's factory activity showed slight improvement in November but continued to contract, marking the longest streak of declines on record as the economic slowdown deepens. The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) indicates persistent challenges in the manufacturing sector, with the index remaining below the neutral level of 50.