FOMC decision

While the Federal Reserve chose to maintain interest rates on Wednesday, a subtle shift in tone suggests the possibility of the first rate cut in four years, potentially scheduled for March. A noteworthy development is the removal of language from the Federal Open Market Committee's (FOMC) statement regarding the possibility of higher rates, indicating a significant shift in the Fed's stance on future rate actions.

In the intricate web of global financial markets, few events hold as much sway over investor sentiment and market dynamics as the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meetings. These gatherings, conducted by the United States Federal Reserve, transcend the realm of routine policy discussions. They wield the power to set the tone for economic growth, interest rates, and the overall direction of financial markets not only in the United States but also reverberating across the globe.

Key events:       USA – PPI (MoM) (Nov)   European markets ended the day lower yesterday as nervousness over the global slowdown was very visible, and the market is in defensive mode ahead of the weekend. In contrast, U.S. markets were able to break a five-day losing streak, ending the session higher despite further weakness in oil prices, which reached their lowest levels of the year for the second straight day. This recovery, along with a positive Asian session, looks set to translate into a positive European open.