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US stock market continues to rise, index continues to predict interest rate cut Microsoft declines | Reuters

by Priya Shah – Business Editor December 3, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

US Stocks Advance Amid Rate cut Expectations, Microsoft Dips

US stocks continued their upward trajectory Tuesday, bolstered by growing anticipation of potential interest rate cuts by the federal Reserve. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 both reached new highs, signaling sustained investor optimism⁣ as⁢ the holiday shopping season approaches.

The market’s positive momentum reflects a broader belief that the Federal Reserve may begin easing monetary policy in the coming months,‍ potentially⁤ stimulating economic growth. This expectation is especially impactful for sectors sensitive to interest rates, such as technology and real estate. However, not all stocks participated in the rally; microsoft experienced a decline, contrasting with the overall market trend.

The S&P 500‌ rose to 4,588.96, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed to 14,353.17. Advancing ‌stocks considerably outweighed declining ones on both the New York Stock⁤ Exchange (2.88 ⁣to ⁢1) ⁣and the ⁤Nasdaq⁣ (2.73 to 1). total trading⁣ volume reached 15.44 billion‍ shares, below the recent 20-day ‍average of 18.19 billion.

Microsoft shares ⁤fell despite the broader market ⁤gains. The ‍reason for the decline was not promptly clear.

This is‍ a provisional value based on LSEG data.

December 3, 2025 0 comments

Business

Trading Day: Bulls in charge ahead of Turkey Day

by Priya Shah – Business Editor November 27, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

NEW YORK, Nov 22 (Reuters) – ⁢U.S. stocks surged on Wednesday,‌ propelled by strong ‌earnings reports and growing optimism about a potential Federal Reserve pivot, as investors positioned themselves ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Dow⁢ Jones Industrial Average climbed 330.99 points, or 0.97%, to 34,347.76, the S&P 500 gained 1.03% to 4,559.34,and the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.37% to 14,250.98.‌ All ⁤three major indexes posted their largest daily percentage gains in over a month.

Investor sentiment was boosted‍ by better-than-expected earnings from companies like Best Buy ⁢and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, signaling resilience in consumer spending and corporate performance. Simultaneously,minutes from the Federal ‍Reserve’s latest policy meeting indicated a willingness to consider slowing the pace of interest⁤ rate hikes,fueling speculation that the central bank may be⁢ nearing the end of its tightening cycle. This shift in expectations sent bond yields lower and provided further support for equities.

“The market is interpreting ⁤the Fed minutes as possibly dovish, suggesting a slower pace of rate ⁢hikes,” said⁣ Robert Pavlik, senior portfolio manager at Dakota Wealth Management. “Combined with‍ solid‍ earnings, this is creating a positive feedback loop.”

The energy sector lagged, ⁣falling 0.8%, as ‍oil prices declined amid concerns about global demand. ⁣Though, technology stocks led the gains, with companies like Apple‌ and Microsoft⁤ contributing considerably to the Nasdaq’s advance.

Trading volume is expected to be lighter than usual on Wednesday and Friday due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Investors will be closely watching economic data releases next week, including the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) ⁢price index, for further‌ clues about the Fed’s future policy path.

November 27, 2025 0 comments

Business

Investors pile into UK bonds and sterling after budget

by Priya Shah – Business Editor November 26, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

Investors are driving a surge in demand for UK bonds and the pound following the British government’s revised budget plans, reversing a recent sell-off and signaling renewed confidence in the UK economy. The yield on the 30-year‍ gilt fell sharply, dropping as much as 46 basis points to 4.54% – the largest daily decline since 2020 – while sterling rose over 1% against ⁢the ‌dollar, reaching $1.223.

The dramatic shift comes after⁢ Chancellor of the‌ Exchequer Jeremy Hunt announced‌ substantial tax increases and spending cuts intended to restore fiscal stability following the turmoil⁢ sparked ⁢by his predecessor’s unfunded tax cut ⁤proposals. This turnaround ‌impacts pension funds, mortgage holders, and⁤ the broader economic outlook ⁣for the UK, potentially averting a crisis and setting the stage for a more enduring economic path, though significant challenges ‍remain.

The market reaction ⁣reflects a relief that the government is taking steps to address concerns about the UK’s debt burden.Hunt’s measures, unveiled Monday, include scrapping almost all of the‍ tax cuts⁢ announced in september’s “mini-budget” and⁤ outlining £55 billion ($63.5 billion) of fiscal tightening. This includes delaying⁤ planned income tax cuts, reducing public spending growth, and freezing corporation tax rates.

“The UK is now on a more‌ credible path,” said Hugh Gimber, a strategist at J.P.Morgan Asset Management. “The scale of the fiscal tightening is significant ‍and should reassure markets that ‌the government is committed to reducing debt.”

The Bank of England’s emergency intervention in ‌the gilt market⁣ last month, designed to prevent a collapse in pension funds reliant on gilt-based investments, had temporarily stemmed ⁣the bleeding. However,⁤ the underlying concerns about fiscal sustainability ⁢persisted until Hunt’s proclamation.

Prior to‍ the revised budget, the pound had fallen‍ to a record low against the dollar, and gilt yields had⁢ soared, increasing borrowing costs for the government and businesses. The volatility prompted the Bank of England to delay the ‍start of its gilt sales program.

while the immediate market response is positive, analysts caution‌ that the UK still faces significant economic headwinds, including high inflation and the risk of recession.The Office for Budget Obligation (OBR) now forecasts that the UK economy is already in recession, ‌and that living standards will fall by‍ 7.1% over the next two years.

November 26, 2025 0 comments

Business

TRADING DAY Fed optimism, Thanksgiving week

by Priya Shah – Business Editor November 26, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

U.S. stocks climbed on Wednesday, fueled by growing⁢ optimism that the Federal ⁣Reserve ‍may soon ⁤begin cutting interest rates, alongside the typically slower trading volumes‍ associated with the Thanksgiving week.

The Dow Jones Industrial ⁣Average rose 30 points, while the S&P 500 gained 0.3% and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.5%. Investors⁤ are parsing recent economic data and comments from Fed officials for clues about the timing and pace of ‍potential rate reductions. Market participants are currently pricing in a roughly 70% chance of a rate cut by the Fed’s March meeting, according to the ‌CME FedWatch tool.This week’s weaker-than-expected manufacturing data and a drop in consumer⁢ confidence‌ have bolstered expectations for a more dovish stance from the central bank.Trading volume ⁢was light, a common characteristic ‌during the week of Thanksgiving, perhaps amplifying market movements.

The focus on potential Fed policy shifts comes as investors assess the overall health of the U.S. ‍economy. ‍While inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target, recent data suggests it is indeed cooling, prompting ⁢speculation that the central bank might potentially be nearing the end of its tightening cycle. The next key economic‌ indicator will be the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, ⁤due out ⁢later this month, wich is the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation. A softer-than-expected PCE reading could‌ further ⁤strengthen the case for rate cuts.

November 26, 2025 0 comments

Business

TRADING DAY Reanimated about December Fed cut

by Priya Shah – Business Editor November 25, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

Stocks Rally as Traders Bet‍ on ⁤Early Fed Rate Cuts

NEW YORK, Dec 13 ⁤- U.S. stocks⁣ surged on ⁤Wednesday,⁣ fueled by growing conviction that the Federal Reserve ⁢will‌ begin cutting interest rates as early as March, perhaps easing pressure on the⁣ economy and ⁣boosting‌ corporate earnings.‌ The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 348.94 points, or 0.97%, at 36,170.13, while the S&P 500 gained 1.41% to 4,604.37. ‍The Nasdaq Composite led gains, jumping 1.80% to ‍14,353.05.

The dramatic shift in ⁢expectations follows softer-than-expected inflation data ⁣released tuesday and comments from Fed officials⁢ suggesting⁤ a willingness to consider rate cuts sooner⁢ than previously anticipated. traders now ⁣assign a roughly 70% probability to a‌ rate cut by the ⁣March meeting, ‌according to the CME FedWatch tool,‌ a significant jump from below 30% just‍ days ago. This pivot has triggered a broad-based rally, benefiting growth stocks especially sensitive to interest rate movements.

“The market is pricing in a much more dovish Fed than ‌we thought even a week ago,” said Michael Green, portfolio manager at Simplify Asset ⁢Management.”The combination of cooling inflation and a ⁤resilient economy is⁤ creating a Goldilocks scenario that investors are eager to capitalize‌ on.”

The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell sharply to 4.13%, further supporting risk assets. Technology stocks saw substantial gains, with Apple rising 1.8%, Microsoft adding 2.1%,and Amazon climbing 2.4%.⁣ Financials also benefited from‌ the prospect of ⁢lower⁢ borrowing costs, with ‌JPMorgan Chase up 1.3%.

However, analysts caution that the rally may be overextended and vulnerable to a correction if economic data surprises to the‍ upside or Fed ⁤officials push back against the aggressive pricing of rate cuts. The Fed is scheduled to hold its next policy meeting December 12-13, and ‍while no rate changes are expected at this‌ meeting,‌ the accompanying economic projections and chair Jerome Powell’s press conference ⁤will be closely scrutinized for further clues about the ⁣central bank’s future path.

The market’s reaction underscores ‌the sensitivity to inflation data and Fed policy⁤ signals.⁣ Investors will be closely watching upcoming reports ⁤on employment, ⁢consumer spending, and manufacturing ‌activity for further confirmation of ‌the disinflationary trend. A sustained easing‍ of inflationary pressures ‍would likely solidify expectations for early rate⁢ cuts, potentially setting the stage for a⁤ continued rally in the new year.

November 25, 2025 0 comments

World

European shares log a weekly decline, defence stocks slide

by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor November 22, 2025

written by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor

European shares closed lower Friday, marking their first weekly decline in ‌nearly two months, as concerns about potential interest rate hikes and a sell-off in defense stocks weighed ⁢on the market. The pan-European STOXX 600 index finished down 0.8% at 475.83,falling ⁣1.3% over the week-its largest weekly drop since ‌february.

The downturn reflects investor anxiety over the possibility that central banks, including the European Central Bank,‍ may delay anticipated interest rate cuts‌ due too persistent inflation. This uncertainty, coupled with profit-taking in sectors that had previously led gains, particularly defense, contributed to the ‍broad-based selling pressure. The defense ⁣sector experienced a significant pullback after recent strong performance fueled by geopolitical tensions, with shares of‌ Leonardo‍ and BAE Systems both falling sharply.

London’s FTSE 100 slipped 0.4% while Paris’s CAC 40⁢ and Frankfurt’s DAX both shed 0.9%. Spanish ⁢and ‌italian shares saw more modest declines.Among individual ‌stocks, Adidas rose 3.2% after the German sportswear giant raised its full-year outlook. However, this positive movement was offset by declines in other⁢ sectors.

The STOXX 600 had enjoyed a strong run in ⁤the first quarter, boosted by optimism about economic recovery and expectations of easing monetary policy. Analysts now caution ⁤that the path to lower interest rates may be more protracted than previously anticipated, potentially‍ dampening economic growth and corporate earnings. Investors ⁣will be closely watching upcoming ‍economic data releases,particularly⁣ inflation figures,for‍ clues about ‍the future ⁢direction ⁢of monetary policy.

November 22, 2025 0 comments

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