Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
U.S. stock index futures edged lower in Asian trading on Monday as caution set in before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. Markets will remain closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with Trump officially assuming office later in the day.
S&P 500 Futures dipped 0.2% to 6,022.25 points, Nasdaq 100 Futures dropped 0.2% to 21,553.25 points, and Dow Jones Futures declined 0.1% to 46,660.0 points. Investors are closely watching Trump’s proposed policies on trade, taxation, and deregulation, which could significantly impact market dynamics.
Trump plans to sign over 200 executive orders on his first day, addressing key issues such as border security and energy policy. Among the actions are declaring a national border emergency and expanding Alaskan energy production, marking a shift in U.S. energy strategy. Analysts predict heightened market volatility as investors evaluate the new administration's policy directions.
Last week, Wall Street ended on a high note. The S&P 500 gained 1% to 5,996.66 points, the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.8% to 43,487.83 points, and the Nasdaq Composite surged 1.5% to 19,630.20 points. December inflation data boosted investor confidence, easing concerns over the Federal Reserve's monetary policy. Positive bank earnings further supported the market rally.
This week, key earnings reports from companies like Netflix, United Airlines, Johnson & Johnson, and Procter & Gamble will offer insights into economic trends. Investors remain cautiously optimistic but are bracing for potential shifts in market sentiment as Trump's presidency begins.
By blending optimism with caution, markets are entering a pivotal phase as they anticipate the administration's economic policies.
