Nikada
Japan (NKY:IND) +1.37%. Japan’s November trade deficit narrows amid dip in exports dented by weak demand from China
China (SHCOMP) -0.63%. China keeps benchmark lending rate unchanged, amid efforts to revive slowing economy. The People’s Bank of China left its one-year and five-year loan prime rates at 3.45% and 4.2%, respectively, in line with expectations.
Hong Kong (HSI) +0.98%.
India (SENSEX) +0.20%.
Australia (AS51) +0.65%. The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Leading Economic Index in Australia rose to 0.1% month-on-month in November 2023.
In the U.S. on Tuesday, all three major indexes ended higher, as traders piled on bets that the Federal Reserve will start cutting interest rates next year.
Reflecting sentiment from other US policymakers, Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic said on Tuesday that there is no current “urgency” for the Fed to reduce US interest rates given the strength of the economy.
Investors now look ahead to the Fed-preferred core PCE price index due later this week for further guidance.
U.S. stock futures were little changed on Wednesday after the major averages extended the strong year-end rally, with the Dow and Nasdaq 100 hitting fresh all-time highs: Dow +0.02%; S&P 500 +0.05%; Nasdaq +0.08%.
Currencies: (JPY:USD), (CNY:USD), (AUD:USD), (INR:USD), (HKD:USD), (NZD:USD).