Equities mixed after Nasdaq closes above 20,000 for first time - 12.12.2024

The Dollar strengthening has stalled today. The live dollar index data show the ICE US Dollar index, a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six rival currencies, ended 0.2% higher on Wednesday.

GBP/USD joined EUR/USD's continued sliding yesterday. Both Pound and euro are higher against the dollar currently. USD/JPY slowed its climbing while AUD/USD slowed its retreating on Wednesday with the yen lower against the Greenback currently and the Australian dollar higher.

The US stock index futures are mixed currently ahead of wholesale prices and unemployment benefits reports at 17:30 CET today. US stocks closed mixed on Wednesday with the three main US stock benchmarks recording daily returns in a range from -0.2% to 1.7% after data showed the Consumer Price Index rose in line with expectations in November on both a monthly and annual basis.

European stock indexes futures are mixed currently after closing higher on Wednesday led by aerospace and defense shares. The European Central bank is meeting today and it is widely expected to announce a rate cut at 17:15 CET ahead of Swiss National Bank’s policy decision at 12:30 CET. Asian stock indexes futures are mixed currently with Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 All Ordinaries index leading losses after data showed that the country’s employment rose more than expected in November.

Brent is edging higher presently. Prices ended over $1 higher on Wednesday as the Energy Information Administration reported US oil inventories fell more than expected last week while gasoline and distillate inventories rose by more than expected. The US oil benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures rose 2.48% and are higher currently. Brent crude gained 1.84% to $73.52 a barrel on Wednesday.