Skip to main content

Featured

Wall Street Futures Climb on Fed Cut Hopes as Bitcoin Extends Steep Decline

US markets staged a rebound Friday morning, with futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all moving higher after a turbulent week. The rally was fueled by growing bets that the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates at its upcoming December meeting, following dovish comments from New York Fed President John Williams. His remarks shifted sentiment sharply, with nearly 70% of traders now expecting a rate cut. Dow futures gained 0.7% , leading the advance. S&P 500 futures rose 0.5% , while Nasdaq futures added 0.4% . The optimism comes after Thursday’s sharp sell-off, underscoring the volatility gripping markets as investors weigh AI-driven risks and Fed policy divisions. Meanwhile, cryptocurrencies continued to struggle. Bitcoin plunged to around $82,000 , marking its worst month since the 2022 crypto collapse. The decline reflects heavy institutional outflows, miner sell-offs, and broader risk-off sentiment across digital assets.

article

Shoppers Kept Spending This Holiday Season

 

  • Holiday Spending: U.S. retail sales increased by 3.1% from Nov. 1 through Dec. 24, with a notable rise in last-minute shopping before Christmas.
  • Sales Breakdown: Online sales grew by 6.3%, while in-store sales saw a 2.2% increase. However, electronics and jewelry sales declined.
  • Economic Impact: Strong consumer spending, particularly on travel and dining, supported the U.S. economy in 2023 despite high interest rates.
  • Retailer Outlook: Retailers reported mixed results for the holiday season, with some experiencing steady sales and others noting a pullback in consumer spending.

Comments