IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
Gold and Silver Prices Plunge as Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
Japan Election Poll Signals Landslide Win for Sanae Takaichi, Raising Fiscal Policy Concerns 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
India Budget 2026: Modi Government Eyes Reforms Amid Global Uncertainty and Fiscal Pressures 
Why Trump’s new pick for Fed chair hit gold and silver markets – for good reasons 
EU Recovery Fund Faces Bottlenecks Despite Driving Digital and Green Projects 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
U.S. stock futures were flat Tuesday evening as Wall Street awaited the Federal Reserve’s policy decision, expected to deliver the first interest rate cut of 2025. By 20:19 ET (00:19 GMT), S&P 500 futures edged up 0.1% to 6,673.75, Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.1% to 24,549.00, and Dow Jones futures rose 0.1% to 46,166.00.
During Tuesday’s session, the Dow slipped 0.3%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite each dipped 0.1% after hitting record highs the previous day. Markets are pricing in a 25-basis-point cut, lowering the benchmark rate to 4.00%-4.25%. A larger 50-basis-point cut remains unlikely, though Fed funds futures suggest policymakers may reduce rates by as much as 70 basis points by year-end.
Investors are focused on the Fed’s updated economic projections and dot plot for clues on the longer-term rate outlook through 2026. Remarks from Chair Jerome Powell will be closely watched to see if the central bank leans toward gradual easing or faster cuts in response to labor market weakness. Recent data has shown softer job growth and a higher unemployment rate, strengthening expectations of monetary support.
Meanwhile, U.S. retail sales for August rose 0.6% month-over-month, surpassing forecasts of 0.2% and highlighting consumer resilience despite tighter financial conditions.
In corporate news, Nvidia stock fell 1.6% after reports of weak demand for its new China-focused AI chip and a Chinese antitrust probe. Oracle shares climbed 1.5% on reports it could play a role in keeping TikTok operational in the U.S. Ford slipped 0.6% after announcing up to 1,000 job cuts at its electric vehicle plant in Cologne, Germany, due to slowing demand.
Overall, traders are bracing for a pivotal Fed announcement that could shape market sentiment and U.S. economic growth for the rest of the year.
