RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Precious Metals Rally as Silver and Platinum Outperform on Rate Cut Bets 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
The S&P 500 closed lower Thursday as investor optimism over the Federal Reserve’s outlook for two rate cuts in 2025 faded. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 11 points (0.03%), while the S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite each fell 0.3%. Despite a strong rally Wednesday, uncertainty over Trump’s tariffs and economic slowdown fears kept all three indexes near six-month lows.
Labor market data showed resilience as initial jobless claims inched up to 223,000 from a revised 221,000, slightly below economists' forecast of 224,000. The Fed held interest rates steady at 4.25%-4.5% for a second straight meeting, reaffirming its plan for two cuts by year-end. However, it raised its 2025 inflation forecast to 2.8%, exceeding the 2% target, while trimming its GDP outlook. Fed Chair Jerome Powell cautioned that Trump’s trade policies could impact inflation and growth.
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) saw a 0.5% decline amid reports that CEO Tim Cook is revamping its AI strategy, tapping Vision Pro creator Mike Rockwell to lead Siri improvements. Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) ended flat after recalling nearly all Cybertrucks in the U.S. due to a defect that could cause exterior panels to detach. Microchip Technology (NASDAQ:MCHP) dropped 6.5% following plans to sell $1.35 billion in convertible stock to reduce debt.
Earnings reports are in focus, with FedEx (NYSE:FDX), Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU), and Nike (NYSE:NKE) set to release results. Five Below (NASDAQ:FIVE) rose 0.6% on strong Q4 earnings, while Darden Restaurants (NYSE:DRI) surged over 5% after posting better-than-expected fiscal Q3 results.
