Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
U.S. stocks ended mixed on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points, a widely expected move. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 slipped, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed higher as traders digested Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s cautious outlook.
The central bank signaled two additional quarter-point cuts this year, citing concerns about labor market weakness. Powell acknowledged downside employment risks but emphasized the need to balance inflation management. According to LSEG data, markets had already priced in this rate cut. Michael Rosen, CIO at Angeles Investments, said Powell cooled expectations for aggressive easing, while the Fed raised its inflation forecast, underscoring its delicate policy challenge.
The Dow rose 260.42 points, or 0.57%, to 46,018.32, supported by financial stocks like American Express. The S&P 500 slipped 6.41 points, or 0.10%, to 6,600.35, and the Nasdaq lost 72.63 points, or 0.32%, to 22,261.33.
Wall Street’s recent rally, driven by hopes of lower rates and AI enthusiasm, now faces a test. Nvidia dragged on the Nasdaq, falling 2.6% after reports that China’s regulator ordered tech firms to halt purchases of its chips. Workday surged 7.2% following news of Elliott Management’s $2 billion stake, while Lyft jumped 13.1% after Alphabet’s Waymo announced autonomous ride-hailing plans in Nashville. Rival Uber dropped 5%.
Market breadth was slightly negative, with decliners outnumbering advancers on both the NYSE and Nasdaq. Trading volume hit 18.91 billion shares, above the 20-day average of 16.47 billion. The S&P 500 logged 18 new highs and five lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 122 highs and 45 lows.
