Gold closed this week at $2,625 (down about $25 since last week) and silver at $29.55 (down about $1.05). The Fed cut rates in time for Christmas but stock markets dropped on the news, spoiled by promises of bigger cuts in 2025.

The Federal Reserve’s policy committee met on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, and cut short-term interest rates by one-quarter of a percentage point.

The FOMC cut rates by 0.25% Wednesday, triggering a 0.5% stock drop. Powell's press conference added uncertainty, hinting at fewer cuts. By the close, “risk-on” assets took a hit, leaving markets unsettled and awaiting clearer direction.

Micron Technology's financial forecast fell short of Wall Street expectations, leading to a significant stock decline.

The broad stock market, as measured by indices such as the S&P 500, continues to probe new all-time highs. Last week, there was a positive catalyst in the form of the CPI number, which was benign enough to raise hopes for a further rate cut.

Though stocks may be rebounding today, what is actually fuelling this move?

The latest economic data reveals a welcome moderation in inflation, as the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index rose by a less-than-expected 0.1% in November.

AI has the potential to generate enough wealth — right here in the United States — to mint 22,000 new millionaires every 30 days, from now until the end of the decade.

The growth of the private credit market exploded after the global financial crisis of 2008-2009 as private credit rushed to fill the gap that the banking industry was no longer able to fill because of the distress of its balance sheets.

I wondered what the basis for this assertion was. As usual with Dr. Antoni, it’s hard for me to determine. Take a look at 3 year median expected CPI inflation of consumers.

New retail price data shows supermarket prices of a dozen eggs have soared to record highs. The surge comes amid an ever-expanding bird flu outbreak that has led to the culling of millions of birds. 

Our take on what a quieter week ahead could bring for markets across Central and Eastern Europe.

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the value of the USD against a basket of currencies, took a hit after soft Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) data was released during the European session.

The USD/CAD pair gathers strength to near 1.4405 during the early Asian session on Friday, bolstered by the firmer Greenback broadly.

As I feared, once the DIA gap was filled, the market exploded into the opposite direction. At least my prediction for a bottom in a week still has a chance, since the free fall has stopped.

Stock prices will head lower, perhaps a lot lower, in 2025.

The dollar backed off sharply from its recent peak into the 108's. VIX dropped like a rock.

Bitcoin’s correlation with the S&P 500 has recently hit a two-year low, hinting at a growing role as a portfolio stabilizer.

Equinor remains a strong performer in traditional energy while cautiously navigating its renewable transition.

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