BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
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 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Fed Meeting Sparks Division as Markets Brace for Possible Rate Cut 
Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Austria’s AA Credit Rating Affirmed as Fitch Highlights Stable Outlook 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
U.S. stock index futures held steady Tuesday night after Wall Street hit record highs, with investors awaiting key Federal Reserve signals on interest rates. Market sentiment remained cautious ahead of the Fed’s meeting minutes release and upcoming economic data.
S&P 500 Futures hovered at 6,148.75, while Nasdaq 100 Futures edged up to 22,245.50. Dow Jones Futures remained flat at 44,655.0. The S&P 500 closed 0.3% higher at a record 6,129.62, while the NASDAQ Composite added 0.1% to 20,041.26. The Dow Jones Industrial Average remained steady at 44,556.16.
The Fed’s January meeting minutes, set for release Wednesday, may offer insights into interest rate decisions as concerns over inflation and trade tariffs persist. Strong inflation data last week reinforced expectations of an extended pause in rate cuts. President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports added further economic uncertainty.
Fed officials have largely signaled a commitment to keeping rates steady, with upcoming speeches from Governor Philip Jefferson and Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee on Thursday. Investors are also eyeing February’s preliminary PMI data on Friday, which could provide clues on business activity trends.
Wall Street’s recent gains were fueled by strong earnings and optimism in the tech sector, particularly surrounding artificial intelligence. Investor focus also turned to U.S.-Russia negotiations over a potential Ukraine peace deal, though Kyiv remains absent from talks.
With economic uncertainty looming, investors are treading cautiously while monitoring key data and Fed signals for future market direction.
