Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Fed Meeting Sparks Division as Markets Brace for Possible Rate Cut 
Austria’s AA Credit Rating Affirmed as Fitch Highlights Stable Outlook 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
The S&P 500 closed lower Wednesday, weighed down by renewed trade tensions and Federal Reserve concerns over tariff-driven economic uncertainty. The S&P 500 fell 0.5%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.6% (244 points), and the NASDAQ Composite dropped 0.5%.
Market sentiment soured after reports that President Donald Trump ordered U.S. semiconductor software firms to halt sales to China. According to the Financial Times, the directive affects major chipmakers like Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), AMD (NASDAQ: AMD), and Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), which all saw share declines. Nvidia, in particular, is under pressure as it prepared to release quarterly results post-market. Analysts expect strong earnings—$0.893 EPS on $43.12 billion in revenue—driven by demand from AI hyperscalers expanding data center capacity.
However, investor focus remains on Nvidia's future guidance and its position in China, where U.S. export restrictions are tightening. CEO Jensen Huang recently criticized these restrictions as ineffective, forecasting that China could still become a $50 billion market for Nvidia.
On the retail front, Macy’s (NYSE: M) rose on a strong Q1 earnings beat but cut its full-year outlook due to tariffs, weaker consumer spending, and competitive pricing pressures. Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) also beat Q1 profit expectations, despite slightly missing on revenue. Dick’s Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS) gained after reporting record sales and reaffirming its 2025 forecast.
Meanwhile, Okta (NASDAQ: OKTA) slumped after issuing cautious guidance due to ongoing macroeconomic headwinds.
Federal Reserve minutes released Wednesday echoed concerns about trade policy uncertainty. Policymakers remain hesitant to cut rates, citing inflation risks tied to President Trump’s tariffs. Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari emphasized the importance of not underestimating supply-side price shocks.
