Jerry Lin
The Latest
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Federal Reserve Prepares for Third and Final Rate Cut of 2024 Amid Economic Uncertainty
The Federal Reserve is poised to implement its third interest rate cut of the year, a move widely anticipated to mark the conclusion of its 2024 monetary easing cycle. With inflation showing signs of persistence and the labor market maintaining its resilience, the Fed's upcoming decision reflects a cautious approach as policymakers weigh the broader implications of their actions. 
The Federal Reserve is poised to implement its third interest rate cut of the year, a move widely anticipated to mark the conclusion of its 2024 monetary easing cycle. With inflation showing signs of persistence and the labor market maintaining its resilience, the Fed's upcoming decision reflects a cautious approach as policymakers weigh the broader implications of their actions. -
Oil Prices Rise Amid Unexpected U.S. Stockpile Decline and Tight Middle Eastern Supplies
Oil prices edged higher on Wednesday as markets reacted to reports of a significant drawdown in U.S. crude inventories. Brent crude rose near $74 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) climbed above $70, bolstered by data from the American Petroleum Institute (API) showing a 4.7 million barrel decline in U.S. stockpiles for the previous week. 
Oil prices edged higher on Wednesday as markets reacted to reports of a significant drawdown in U.S. crude inventories. Brent crude rose near $74 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) climbed above $70, bolstered by data from the American Petroleum Institute (API) showing a 4.7 million barrel decline in U.S. stockpiles for the previous week. -
Bitcoin Soars Above $107,000
Bitcoin soared to a new record on Tuesday, briefly surpassing $107,800, as growing investor optimism surrounding President-elect Donald Trump's pro-crypto stance continues to fuel the rally. The world's largest cryptocurrency is now up nearly 60% since the November election, hitting a high of $107,778 before settling around $107,017, according to CoinDesk data. 
Bitcoin soared to a new record on Tuesday, briefly surpassing $107,800, as growing investor optimism surrounding President-elect Donald Trump's pro-crypto stance continues to fuel the rally. The world's largest cryptocurrency is now up nearly 60% since the November election, hitting a high of $107,778 before settling around $107,017, according to CoinDesk data. -
Fed Likely to Cut Interest Rates Again While Signaling a Slower Path Forward
The Federal Reserve is expected to implement another interest rate cut this week, reducing its benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point to approximately 4.3%. This decision, marking the fourth consecutive cut since September, comes as policymakers navigate a resilient economy paired with persistent inflationary pressures. Despite a stronger-than-anticipated economic performance, inflation remains stubbornly above the central bank's 2% target, prompting officials to adopt a more cautious approach to monetary easing. 
The Federal Reserve is expected to implement another interest rate cut this week, reducing its benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point to approximately 4.3%. This decision, marking the fourth consecutive cut since September, comes as policymakers navigate a resilient economy paired with persistent inflationary pressures. Despite a stronger-than-anticipated economic performance, inflation remains stubbornly above the central bank's 2% target, prompting officials to adopt a more cautious approach to monetary easing. -
Oil Prices Slide Amid Weak Chinese Demand and Fed Rate Decision Anticipation
Oil prices began the week on a downward trajectory, retreating from recent highs as weak economic data from China and anticipation of the Federal Reserve's rate decision weighed on the market. Brent crude futures fell by 0.71% to $73.96 per barrel by midday Monday, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped 0.91% to $70.64. Both benchmarks had recently hit their highest levels in weeks, buoyed by a 6% rally last week. Oil prices began the week on a downward trajectory, retreating from recent highs as weak economic data from China and anticipation of the Federal Reserve's rate decision weighed on the market. Brent crude futures fell by 0.71% to $73.96 per barrel by midday Monday, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped 0.91% to $70.64. Both benchmarks had recently hit their highest levels in weeks, buoyed by a 6% rally last week. -
Bitcoin Surges to Record High Above $106,000 Amid Anticipation of Fed Decision and Trump's Pro-Crypto Plans
Bitcoin soared to a new all-time high, surpassing $106,000 over the weekend before retreating slightly, as investors eagerly anticipate a Federal Reserve decision on interest rates and weigh the implications of incoming President Donald Trump's pro-cryptocurrency stance. The flagship cryptocurrency has been on a remarkable rally, fueled by expectations of favorable macroeconomic and regulatory conditions. 
Bitcoin soared to a new all-time high, surpassing $106,000 over the weekend before retreating slightly, as investors eagerly anticipate a Federal Reserve decision on interest rates and weigh the implications of incoming President Donald Trump's pro-cryptocurrency stance. The flagship cryptocurrency has been on a remarkable rally, fueled by expectations of favorable macroeconomic and regulatory conditions. -
U.S. Jobless Claims Rise Unexpectedly, Hinting at Potential Labor Market Softening
New applications for unemployment benefits rose unexpectedly last week, adding to concerns about a possible cooling in the labor market. The Labor Department reported Thursday that initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased by 17,000 to a seasonally adjusted 242,000 for the week ending Dec. 7, surpassing economists' forecast of 220,000 claims. 
New applications for unemployment benefits rose unexpectedly last week, adding to concerns about a possible cooling in the labor market. The Labor Department reported Thursday that initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased by 17,000 to a seasonally adjusted 242,000 for the week ending Dec. 7, surpassing economists' forecast of 220,000 claims. -
Wholesale Prices Surge in November, Adding Pressure on Federal Reserve Amid Inflation Concerns
Wholesale prices rose more than expected in November, indicating persistent inflationary pressures despite ongoing efforts by the Federal Reserve to achieve its 2% target. The producer price index (PPI), which measures price changes at the producer level, increased by 0.4% for the month, exceeding the Dow Jones consensus estimate of 0.2%, according to a Thursday report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). 
Wholesale prices rose more than expected in November, indicating persistent inflationary pressures despite ongoing efforts by the Federal Reserve to achieve its 2% target. The producer price index (PPI), which measures price changes at the producer level, increased by 0.4% for the month, exceeding the Dow Jones consensus estimate of 0.2%, according to a Thursday report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). -
China Prioritizes Fiscal Stimulus and Monetary Easing to Boost Growth
China's leadership wrapped up its annual economic work conference this week, emphasizing plans to address economic challenges with proactive fiscal policies and moderately loose monetary approaches, according to reports from state-run CCTV. This strategic shift highlights Beijing's determination to stabilize growth amid domestic and global uncertainties. 
China's leadership wrapped up its annual economic work conference this week, emphasizing plans to address economic challenges with proactive fiscal policies and moderately loose monetary approaches, according to reports from state-run CCTV. This strategic shift highlights Beijing's determination to stabilize growth amid domestic and global uncertainties. -
China Considers Weaker Yuan in 2025 as Trade Risks Mount
China's yuan declined sharply this week following reports that Beijing is considering allowing the currency to weaken next year in response to anticipated trade tensions with the United States. The move signals that Chinese policymakers are preparing for the possibility of new economic headwinds as Donald Trump, who has vowed to impose steep tariffs on Chinese imports, prepares to return to the White House. 
China's yuan declined sharply this week following reports that Beijing is considering allowing the currency to weaken next year in response to anticipated trade tensions with the United States. The move signals that Chinese policymakers are preparing for the possibility of new economic headwinds as Donald Trump, who has vowed to impose steep tariffs on Chinese imports, prepares to return to the White House.
