BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
December 2024 PCE Data to be Released Today
The US Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index data for December 2024 is expected to be published today, January 31, 2025. This will give the critical inflation trend and consumer spending in the US economy. As a leading indicator, the PCE index is always looked forward to by investors and analysts to judge the economic forecast.
Recent PCE Trends
The PCE Price Index, in November 2024, was only up a small 0.1% month-to-month, falling short of its estimated value of 0.2%, which would have been the smallest increase in six months. This was also seen in the core PCE index price index that doesn't consider food and energy inflation registered at 0.1%. Annual figures showed that the headline PCE saw its inflation rise to 2.4%, while the core, at 2.8%, remained unchanged but both were under expectations.
Economic Environment and Future Predictions
For the next month, economists predict a 0.2% growth in the headline and core PCE indices, which may have some stabilizing effects on inflation rates. For the year-on-year core PCE inflation, it is anticipated to be 2.8%. The Federal Reserve has hiked its estimate for PCE inflation in 2025 from 2.1% to 2.5%, following the current trend of the economy. This release is going to be important for market sentiment and can influence future interest rate policies.
