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On Tuesday, US equities experienced a modest decline, with all three major indices registering a roughly 0.6% decrease. This pause followed robust gains driven by a tech rally in the previous session. Notable sectoral underperformers included real estate, materials, industrials, and utilities. Market participants were diligently recalibrating their expectations regarding potential rate cuts while eagerly anticipating pivotal economic data releases scheduled later in the week, including the Consumer Price Index (CPI), as well as the commencement of earnings season.Key Market Developments:
NFIB Survey: The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) survey unveiled an improvement in sentiment among small business owners for the month of December. However, despite this improvement, a lingering sense of pessimism persisted.
Trade Deficit: The trade deficit figures for November came in below forecasts, with both exports and imports experiencing a 1.9% decline. This data point contributed to the evolving economic narrative.
Corporate Highlights:
Tech Giants: Prominent technology companies faced downward pressure, with shares of Apple and Tesla recording approximately a 1% decline. NVIDIA also retraced from its previous session’s record highs.
Netflix: Netflix witnessed a decline of nearly 1.4% following a downgrade by Citi, reflecting adjustments in analyst sentiment.
Currency Market:
The dollar index displayed strength, edging higher to 102.4 on Tuesday. It remained in proximity to levels not observed since mid-December. Market participants eagerly awaited the upcoming release of the key US CPI data on Thursday, viewing it as a crucial determinant for understanding the Federal Reserve’s future plans.
Rate Cut Expectations: The market’s probability of a rate cut as early as March currently stands at 64%. This figure represents a notable decline from the nearly 90% chance observed just a week ago. The shifting rate cut expectations added an additional layer of complexity to market dynamics.
In summary, the US equity markets encountered a brief consolidation phase, with investors adjusting their rate cut forecasts and preparing for the commencement of earnings season.More By This Author:US Job Market Sees Robust Growth In December 2023, Surpassing Expectations
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