Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
In December 2024, the core Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Tokyo Prefecture increased by 2.4% compared to a year earlier, rising from 2.2% in November. This change is important because it shows that prices continue to rise, especially due to a significant 13.5% increase in energy costs, up from a 7.4% rise in November.
Here are some key points to consider:
November 2024 Core CPI: 2.2%, higher than 1.8% in October.
December 2024 Core CPI: 2.4%, showing a continuing increase in inflation.
Energy Costs: These rose by 13.5%, playing a big role in driving up overall prices.
Processed Food Prices: These went up by 4.0%, staying about the same as the previous month.
Core-Core CPI (which excludes fresh food and energy): This went up by 1.8%, slightly lower than the 1.9% increase in November, indicating that the increase in other prices is slowing down a bit.
This information is important because the inflation trends in Tokyo can often predict what will happen with prices across Japan, as national figures come out about three weeks later. The Bank of Japan is paying close attention to these numbers because they could affect its decisions about interest rates in the future.
