Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
Asian Stocks Waver as Trump Signals Fed Pick, Shutdown Deal and Tech Earnings Stir Markets 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
Oil Prices Surge Toward Biggest Monthly Gains in Years Amid Middle East Tensions 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
Wall Street Slips as Tech Stocks Slide on AI Spending Fears and Earnings Concerns 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
Gold Prices Pull Back After Record Highs as January Rally Remains Strong 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
Why Trump’s new pick for Fed chair hit gold and silver markets – for good reasons 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
U.S. stock futures were steady on Sunday evening as investors looked ahead to this week’s Federal Reserve meeting, where policymakers are widely expected to deliver another interest-rate cut. As of 20:15 ET (01:15 GMT), S&P 500 futures edged up 0.1% to 6,882.75, Nasdaq 100 futures also gained 0.1% to 25,755.75, while Dow Jones futures hovered near the flat line at 47,988.0.
The muted movement follows a second consecutive week of gains across major U.S. indexes. The Dow added roughly 0.5%, the S&P 500 advanced 0.3%, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.9%, supported by growing optimism that the Federal Open Market Committee will approve a third straight quarter-point rate cut during its December 9–10 meeting.
Market expectations strengthened after September’s Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index — the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge — showed cooler-than-expected readings. Core PCE increased just 0.2% month-over-month and 2.8% year-over-year, signaling easing inflation pressures. Softer labor market indicators and slowing consumer spending further reinforced calls for continued policy support.
Analysts note that the Fed’s updated projections, including its outlook for 2026, will be closely scrutinized. ING economists highlighted that while a more dovish stance is possible, the central bank may hesitate to signal additional future cuts too aggressively.
Investors are also preparing for a busy week of corporate earnings that could influence market sentiment. Reports from Lululemon, Costco, Broadcom, Oracle, and Adobe are expected to provide insights into consumer strength and technology sector momentum. Additionally, S&P Global announced that Carvana, CRH PLC, and Comfort Systems USA will be added to the S&P 500, a move that typically prompts portfolio adjustments among index-based funds.
With economic data cooling and rate cut expectations rising, markets are positioned for a pivotal week that could set the tone for year-end trading.
