China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
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.
