U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
Oil Prices Slide in 2025 as Oversupply and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
U.S. Stocks Slip as Gold Rebounds Ahead of Year-End, Markets Eye 2026 Outlook 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
Asian Stock Markets Start New Year Higher as Tech and AI Shares Drive Gains 
Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
Singapore GDP Growth Surges in 2025 but Outlook Remains Cautious Amid Global Trade Risks 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech and Financial Stocks Weigh on Markets Amid Thin Holiday Trading 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
U.S. stock index futures were largely unchanged on Tuesday evening as markets stabilized after Wall Street retreated from record highs earlier in the session. Investors remained cautious following notable losses in major financial stocks, particularly JPMorgan Chase, while mild consumer inflation data failed to alter expectations that the Federal Reserve will hold interest rates steady in the near term.
By early evening trading, S&P 500 futures dipped slightly to around 6,998 points, Nasdaq 100 futures hovered near 25,899 points, and Dow Jones futures edged down about 0.1% to roughly 49,374 points. Market sentiment remained restrained ahead of a busy Wednesday that includes key bank earnings reports and the release of U.S. producer price index (PPI) inflation data.
Attention is firmly on earnings from major banks such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citigroup, all scheduled to report before the market opens. These results are expected to provide fresh insight into the health of the U.S. economy and follow disappointing investment banking revenues reported by JPMorgan for the December quarter. JPMorgan shares slid more than 4% on Tuesday after the bank warned that proposed caps on credit card interest rates could negatively impact consumers and economic growth, dragging down the broader financial sector.
Beyond earnings, inflation remains a central theme. December’s consumer price index met expectations, with core inflation showing slight cooling, but the data did little to change market bets that the Fed will keep rates unchanged at its late-January meeting. According to CME FedWatch, traders see more than a 95% probability of rates staying within the 3.50% to 3.75% range.
Technology stocks delivered mixed signals. NVIDIA’s clearance to sell H200 AI chips in China drew limited reaction amid uncertainty over Beijing’s approval, while Salesforce shares tumbled after its new AI agent underwhelmed investors. In contrast, Intel and AMD rallied following bullish analyst upgrades. Overall, Wall Street remains cautious as earnings, inflation data, and geopolitical tensions shape near-term market direction.
