ADVFN US – Market Content Editor

A highly anticipated report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed consumer prices in the U.S. increased by slightly more than expected in the month of December. The Labor Department said its consumer price index climbed by 0.3 percent in December after inching up by 0.1 percent in November. Economists had expected consumer prices…

The major U.S. index futures have fluctuated before the start of trading on Thursday as traders digest highly anticipated U.S. consumer price inflation data. The Labor Department said its consumer price index climbed by 0.3 percent in December after inching up by 0.1 percent in November. Economists had expected consumer prices to rise by 0.2…

Metal prices were trading higher with Peak Trading Research saying a weaker U.S. inflation print would point to a dovish Fed, lower interest rates and a weaker dollar. Nickel is stuck in a supply glut that will take some time to clear, BMI said, as it downgraded its forecast for 2024 to $20,000/metric ton from…

Oil prices moved higher in Europe on market concerns about heightened tensions in the Middle East. U.S. and British warships shot down one of the largest barrages of missiles and drones fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels into the crucial Red Sea shipping lane, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken continued his efforts to prevent the…

Bond yields fell as investors awaited the inflation data. Some analysts have warned that the market may be too optimistic about the likely pace of Fed rate cuts given that reducing inflation further may prove harder. “Importantly, absent improvements on the supply side, the outlook for continued disinflation to 2% is likely to get trickier…

Thursday’s inflation data will likely be key to determining the near-term outlook for the dollar and U.S. rates, though it won’t be a “game-changer,” Danske Bank Research said. “We do not expect today’s CPI release to be a game-changer, as we think the figures broadly will align with consensus.” The relatively loose financial conditions around…

Stock futures traded higher on Thursday ahead of the key inflation print, with tech stocks continuing to lead gains. Economists expect the consumer price index rose 3.2% year over year in December. The reading could provide evidence on whether or not the Federal Reserve will start cutting interest rates as early as March.: Overseas stocks…