US benchmark equity indexes ended mixed Monday as traders awaited the Federal Reserve's latest monetary policy decision and key corporate earnings due later in the week.
* Markets widely expect the central bank's Federal Open Market Committee to deliver a quarter-percentage-point reduction in its benchmark lending rate Wednesday, according to CME FedWatch tool. That would mark a second consecutive 25-basis-point decrease following a 50-basis-point reduction in September.
* There is a "growing chatter" about policymakers possibly skipping a rate cut next month amid factors such as persistent inflation in certain areas and continued economic resilience, Saxo Bank said in a report published Monday. "With the new Trump administration likely to focus on trade tariffs early on after taking office on (Jan. 20), there is risk that it could create upside risks to inflation, which could make the Fed more cautious about future cuts."
* January West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed down $0.58 to settle at $70.71 per barrel, while February Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen down $0.61 to $73.88 as weak economic data from China showed the prospects for the economy of the largest oil importer remain dim.
* Honeywell International (HON) was up 3.9% after the industrial conglomerate said it is evaluating a potential separation of its aerospace business as part of its efforts to optimize its portfolio.
* Super Micro Computer (SMCI) shares were down 8.6%. Late Friday, Nasdaq said the artificial intelligence server maker will be removed from the Nasdaq 100 index, effective prior to Dec. 23 market open.
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