Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Trump Signals Conditional Push for Ukraine Peace Talks as Frustration Mounts 
Air Force One Delivery Delayed to 2028 as Boeing Faces Rising Costs 
Trump Signs Executive Order to Establish National AI Regulation Standard 
New Epstein Photos Surface Showing Trump as Lawmakers Near Document Release Deadline 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Brazil Arrests Former Peruvian Foreign Minister Augusto Blacker Miller in International Fraud Case 
Preservation Group Sues Trump Administration to Halt $300 Million White House Ballroom Project 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban Sparks Global Debate and Early Challenges 
Trump Signals Two Final Candidates for Fed Chair, Calls for Presidential Input on Interest Rates 
U.S. stock index futures gained on Monday evening as reports eased fears of disruptive trade tariffs under President-elect Donald Trump. Bloomberg reported that his team may propose a gradual tariff increase of 2%-5% monthly to enhance trade leverage while managing inflation risks, rather than imposing steep duties immediately. This approach, under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, remains unconfirmed but could signal a tempered stance on trade policy.
Wall Street saw a mixed session, with cyclicals offsetting tech losses. The S&P 500 Futures rose 0.3% to 5,892.50 points, Nasdaq 100 Futures added 0.5% to 21,046.25, and Dow Jones Futures increased 0.2% to 42,607.0 by 18:13 ET.
Monday's gains come despite broader market caution over a slower pace of Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2025. December’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, due Wednesday, could offer insights into inflation trends following strong payroll numbers last week. These data points may solidify expectations of continued high interest rates.
Major earnings reports this week will also shape market sentiment, with JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, and Citigroup among those set to release results.
While the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.9% to 42,297.12 points and the S&P 500 edged up 0.2% to 5,836.0 points on Monday, the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.4%, closing at 19,087.82, near a two-month low.
Investor focus remains on inflation, earnings, and Trump’s evolving trade strategies, all of which could drive market volatility. Continued monitoring of tariff policy and Federal Reserve signals will be crucial for traders navigating early 2025's economic landscape.
