Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Lithium Market Poised for Recovery Amid Supply Cuts and Rising Demand 
RBA Signals Possible Rate Implications as Inflation Proves More Persistent 
Saudi Arabia Raises Oil Prices for Asia Amid Market Volatility and Middle East Tensions 
Oil Prices Rise as Geopolitical Tensions and Supply Risks Intensify 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Apple Surpasses Microsoft to Reclaim Title as World's Most Valuable Company 
Tech Stocks Lift S&P 500 as Fed Rate-Cut Expectations Rise 
Bitcoin Whales Acquire $4.3B in BTC Amid Market Decline, Signaling Potential Bottom 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Asian Markets React to Tariff Reports and Fed Policy Shifts 
[Editorial Cartoon] “Tariff Chicken Game” – U.S. and China Speed Toward Economic Catastrophe 
Gold Hits Record High as Investors Eye Fed Chair Powell’s Speech on Tariffs 
Tech Stocks Surge in Asia; Experts Warn ‘Cooling AI Boom May Hit NVIDIA’s Gains Hard’ 
IMF Warns Japan of Market Volatility and Interest Rate Risks 
The S&P 500 closed marginally higher on Wednesday, supported by tech stocks rebounding from earlier losses as Treasury yields steadied. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 94 points (0.2%), the S&P 500 gained 0.1%, and the NASDAQ slipped 0.1%.
Minutes from the Federal Reserve's December meeting revealed a slower pace of rate cuts ahead due to concerns over stalling disinflation. Policymakers emphasized caution, noting slower progress toward the 2% inflation target. Meanwhile, Fed Governor Christopher Waller supported further cuts, expecting continued inflation declines, stabilizing Treasury yields after a recent surge.
Tech stocks ended above session lows, though major players like Apple, Alphabet, and Meta closed in the red. NVIDIA hovered near flat, while Palantir dropped further, extending a 16% decline since its peak last month.
Employment data highlighted labor market strength. Initial unemployment claims dropped to 201,000, the lowest since February, while private payrolls rose by 122,000 in December, signaling resilience despite sticky inflation. These indicators fueled speculation that the Fed may delay additional rate cuts in 2025.
In the corporate sector, Exxon Mobil slid 1.7% after warning of a $1.75 billion hit to Q4 earnings due to weaker refining profits. Shell also dropped 1.9%, citing a $1.3 billion charge related to permits and weaker integrated gas earnings.
Investors await Fed commentary and the upcoming US employment report for further clarity on economic and policy trends.
