Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Austria’s AA Credit Rating Affirmed as Fitch Highlights Stable Outlook 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Fed Meeting Sparks Division as Markets Brace for Possible Rate Cut 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
U.S. stocks ended higher on Friday as a softer inflation reading strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve could move forward with an interest-rate cut next week. The S&P 500 climbed 0.2%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 104 points, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.3%, extending a week of cautious optimism across markets.
Investors focused heavily on the latest Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge. The report showed core PCE cooling to 2.8% year-over-year in September, slightly below expectations and reinforcing hopes that inflation is steadily easing. On a monthly basis, core prices rose just 0.2%, giving policymakers more confidence that price pressures are moderating. With the economy showing signs of slowing, traders are increasingly pricing in a 25-basis-point rate cut at the Fed’s December 9–10 meeting.
Labor market data added to the mixed but cooling economic picture. Weekly jobless claims dropped sharply by 27,000 to 191,000—its lowest level since late 2022—though analysts warned that Thanksgiving-related distortions may have contributed. Meanwhile, ADP reported a 32,000 drop in private payrolls, the largest decline in more than two years, and Challenger, Gray & Christmas noted that although announced job cuts fell significantly in November, companies remain cautious about hiring.
In corporate news, Netflix made headlines after agreeing to acquire Warner Bros Discovery in a major cash-and-stock deal valued at $27.75 per share, giving the transaction an enterprise value of roughly $82.7 billion. The deal follows a competitive bidding process and would give Netflix control of one of the industry’s richest entertainment libraries, significantly expanding its media footprint.
Elsewhere, Ulta Beauty surged after beating Wall Street expectations and raising its full-year outlook, while Victoria’s Secret shares climbed on better-than-expected earnings tied to its ongoing turnaround efforts. On the downside, Hewlett Packard Enterprise saw its stock slump after missing quarterly revenue estimates with $9.68 billion reported versus expectations of $9.94 billion.
On the geopolitical front, Treasury Secretary Bessent offered an encouraging update on U.S.-China trade relations, noting that progress on recent agreements between President Xi Jinping and former President Donald Trump is “going well.”
