Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
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.
