Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
U.S. stocks ended mixed on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points, a widely expected move. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 slipped, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed higher as traders digested Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s cautious outlook.
The central bank signaled two additional quarter-point cuts this year, citing concerns about labor market weakness. Powell acknowledged downside employment risks but emphasized the need to balance inflation management. According to LSEG data, markets had already priced in this rate cut. Michael Rosen, CIO at Angeles Investments, said Powell cooled expectations for aggressive easing, while the Fed raised its inflation forecast, underscoring its delicate policy challenge.
The Dow rose 260.42 points, or 0.57%, to 46,018.32, supported by financial stocks like American Express. The S&P 500 slipped 6.41 points, or 0.10%, to 6,600.35, and the Nasdaq lost 72.63 points, or 0.32%, to 22,261.33.
Wall Street’s recent rally, driven by hopes of lower rates and AI enthusiasm, now faces a test. Nvidia dragged on the Nasdaq, falling 2.6% after reports that China’s regulator ordered tech firms to halt purchases of its chips. Workday surged 7.2% following news of Elliott Management’s $2 billion stake, while Lyft jumped 13.1% after Alphabet’s Waymo announced autonomous ride-hailing plans in Nashville. Rival Uber dropped 5%.
Market breadth was slightly negative, with decliners outnumbering advancers on both the NYSE and Nasdaq. Trading volume hit 18.91 billion shares, above the 20-day average of 16.47 billion. The S&P 500 logged 18 new highs and five lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 122 highs and 45 lows.
