European stocks edged higher on Tuesday (December 9th) as global investors awaited the US Federal Reserve's monetary policy update. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose 0.17% at the opening bell. The Fed is widely expected to cut its benchmark interest rate at its final meeting of the year. Currency markets are currently pricing in an 87% chance of a quarter-point rate cut when the central bank concludes its two-day meeting on December 10th, according to the CME FedWatch tool. This move will serve as a benchmark for central banks in Europe, with the Swiss National Bank due to deliver its...
The Hang Seng Index plunged 331 points, or 1.3%, to close at a two-week low of 25,434 on Tuesday (December 9), extending its decline for a second session amid broad sector weakness. Investors were nervous ahead of the US Fed's decision on Wednesday, with speculation growing that the central bank might make a "hawkish rate cut" amid a divided committee and uncertainty over Powell's successor when his term ends in May 2026. Mainland Chinese stocks also weakened after recent gains as caution grew ahead of China's November CPI and PPI data due on Wednesday, with deflationary risks still in...
European stocks closed slightly lower on Tuesday, with the STOXX 50 slipping 0.1% and the broader STOXX 600 finishing near the flat line, as traders refrained from making large moves ahead of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision tomorrow. The US central bank is widely expected to deliver a 25 basis point rate cut, though the 2026 outlook remains uncertain. Shares in Ray-Ban owner EssilorLuxottica declined 5.7% after Warby Parker announced plans to launch AI-powered glasses developed in collaboration with Google, heightening competition in the smartglasses market. Thyssenkrupp...