Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
Asian Stock Markets Start New Year Higher as Tech and AI Shares Drive Gains 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
Oil Prices Slide in 2025 as Oversupply and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Oil Prices Stabilize at Start of 2026 as OPEC+ Policy and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Policy Clues in Holiday-Thinned Trade 
U.S. stock index futures were mostly unchanged Tuesday night as investors remained cautious ahead of a highly anticipated Federal Reserve interest rate decision and a wave of earnings reports from major technology companies. Market participants are closely watching macroeconomic signals and corporate results that could set the tone for Wall Street in the near term.
S&P 500 futures edged up 0.1% to 7,017.50 points, while Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.3% to 26,155.75 points. Dow Jones futures were largely flat at around 49,154 points. The muted movement reflects investor restraint as markets digest recent gains and prepare for key catalysts.
During Tuesday’s regular trading session, the S&P 500 climbed 0.4% to close at a record high, extending its rally as investors rotated back into growth stocks. Strong performance from technology shares played a major role, helping push the benchmark index to its highest-ever close. The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.9%, supported by gains in megacap tech stocks that continue to benefit from optimism around artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
In contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.8%, pressured by sharp declines in healthcare and insurance stocks. Major health insurers slid after the U.S. government released details of a Medicare Advantage payment plan that investors viewed as less favorable than expected, weighing heavily on the price-weighted index.
Attention is now firmly on the Federal Reserve, which began its two-day policy meeting on Tuesday. The central bank is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged when it announces its decision on Wednesday. Investors will closely analyze Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s comments for guidance on how long rates may remain elevated and when potential rate cuts could begin. Markets are also mindful of broader political factors, including speculation around future leadership at the Fed.
Earnings season is another major focus, with several members of the “Magnificent Seven” set to report results. Tesla, Meta Platforms, and Microsoft are scheduled to release earnings on Wednesday, followed by Apple on Thursday. Given their heavy weighting in major stock indexes, these reports and their outlooks on AI investment, cloud demand, and consumer spending could significantly influence market sentiment in the days ahead.
