Yahoo Finance - Stock Market Live, Quotes, Business & Finance News

California's Pacific Gas & Electric could receive $15B in federal loans to modernize its power grid

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. could receive up to $15 billion in federal loans to help the utility modernize its power grid and expand clean energy infrastructure across central and northern California, officials announced Tuesday. The U.S. Department of Energy announced a conditional commitment for one of the largest loan guarantees ever under its Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment program. The funds would support a portfolio of projects to expand hydropower generation and battery storage, upgrade transmission capacity, and enable virtual power plants throughout PG&E’s service area, the energy department said.

2024 ‘Gingerbread Index’ shows egg prices are up over 97% as inflation hits holiday meals

Prices are higher, but not by a tremendous amount.

A former Fed president says she would not cut interest rates this week, but she expects the central bank will anyway

The Federal Reserve is expected to cut its key interest rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday.

Economists Boost 2025 US Inflation Forecast on Tariff Concerns

(Bloomberg) -- Economists raised their projections for US inflation next year on tariff concerns and now expect one less interest-rate cut from the Federal Reserve than they anticipated a month ago.Most Read from BloombergHow California Sees the World, and ItselfHong Kong's Expat Party Hub Reshaped by Chinese InfluxLondon’s Tube Fares Are Set to Rise by 4.6% Next YearAccording to the latest Bloomberg monthly survey of economists, the annual core personal consumption expenditures price index — wh

German Business Outlook Slumps Amid Economic Uncertainty

(Bloomberg) -- German business expectations sank in December, highlighting the challenges for Europe’s top economy with snap elections likely to bring a change of government.Most Read from BloombergHow California Sees the World, and ItselfHong Kong's Expat Party Hub Reshaped by Chinese InfluxLondon’s Tube Fares Are Set to Rise by 4.6% Next YearAn expectations gauge by the Ifo institute slumped to 84.4 from 87, the Ifo institute said Tuesday. Analysts polled by Bloomberg had predicted a slight up

US retail sales showcase economy's enduring strength

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. retail sales increased more than expected in November as households stepped up purchases of motor vehicles and online merchandise, consistent with strong underlying momentum in the economy as the year winds down. The report from the Commerce Department on Tuesday had no impact on expectations that the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates on Wednesday for the third time since the U.S. central bank initiated its policy easing cycle in September. Fed officials started a two-day policy meeting on Tuesday.

Retail sales rose at healthy pace last month in latest sign of US economy's health

Retail sales rose 0.7% in November, the Commerce Department said Tuesday, a solid increase and higher than October's 0.5% gain. Sales jumped 2.6% at auto dealers, driving most of the gain. The boost in spending underscores that the economy is still growing at a healthy pace even with higher interest rates, a trend that could cause the Federal Reserve to lower borrowing costs more slowly next year than they have previously signaled.

November retail sales top Wall Street's expectations

Retail sales increased in November amid a strong start to the holiday shopping season.

Brazil Central Bank Says Record Low Exchange Rate Is Fueling Inflation

(Bloomberg) -- Brazil’s central bank said inflation risks are materializing due to factors including a weaker currency and resilient demand, forcing the board to signal unanimously that borrowing costs will rise past 14% by March.Most Read from BloombergHow California Sees the World, and ItselfHong Kong's Expat Party Hub Reshaped by Chinese InfluxLondon’s Tube Fares Are Set to Rise by 4.6% Next Year“Upside inflation risks, such as the resilience of services inflation, the deanchoring of expectat

Fed caution, inflation risks propel US Treasury yield forecasts higher again- Reuters poll

U.S. Treasury yield forecasts from bond strategists have marched higher for a second month amid expectations of limited remaining Federal Reserve rate reductions and rising inflation risks in 2025, a Reuters survey found. Having kicked off its easing cycle with a jumbo half-percentage point cut in September, the central bank has lowered its fed funds rate by 75 basis points and looks set to trim another 25 bps on Wednesday to 4.25%-4.50%. Yet, since the first reduction, the benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury yield, which moves inversely to prices, has shot up around 70 basis points - hitting a near six-month high of 4.50% last month.

Americans end 2024 with grim economic outlook, but Republicans are optimistic for 2025: AP-NORC poll

The unemployment rate is healthy and the stock market is up, but Democrats are feeling more pessimistic about the U.S. economy after Donald Trump's election victory, according to a new poll. Republicans, meanwhile, are still dour about the current state of the economy but hopeful that growth will be stronger next year when Trump returns to the White House as president. This was a persistent challenge for President Joe Biden that Trump appears to be inheriting — and it raises the possibility that Trump, too, might struggle to translate his economic policies into political wins.

Morning Bid: Bonds agitated as Fed meets, G7 politics rumble

Even with another Federal Reserve interest rate cut this week baked in to market pricing, U.S. Treasury bonds appear anxious again about the year ahead - with political upheavals in Germany and Canada clouding the overseas picture. As the Fed meets for the last time this year, there's little doubt in futures markets that it will cut another quarter point off its policy rate. But with the sort of roaring growth in the dominant U.S. services sector seen in this week's December surveys, record high stock markets and likely tax cuts ahead, barely two more cuts are expected next year and Fed policymakers are expected to lift their estimate of long-run neutral rates above 3%.

Stocks fall, Dow drops for 9th straight session with Fed decision due

NEW YORK (Reuters) -U.S. stocks retreated on Tuesday and the Dow dropped for a ninth straight session, as investors exercised caution ahead of the Federal Reserve's last policy announcement of the year after economic data indicated consumer spending remained solid. U.S. retail sales increased more than expected in November, buoyed in part by an acceleration in motor vehicle purchases, consistent with strong underlying momentum in a resilient economy. Investors were largely focused on the Fed's policy announcement on Wednesday, almost completely pricing in an interest rate cut of 25 basis points.

Trump bump? Fed officials prepare projections into new presidential term

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Since Donald Trump's election to a second term last month, Federal Reserve policymakers including Chair Jerome Powell have said it is too soon to factor in the U.S. president-elect's yet-to-be-detailed policies into forecasts. But eight years ago Powell as a Fed governor joined the majority of his colleagues in doing just that, meeting records show, bumping up estimates for economic momentum and interest rates to reflect the expected effect of Trump’s tax cuts and other policies. So it may not be all that surprising that a growth upgrade for next year may be back in the cards again this week when Fed policymakers gather to deliver what is expected to be a third interest rate cut and to update their forecasts for growth, unemployment and inflation.

Germany Cuts Federal Debt Sales 13% to €380 Billion in 2025

(Bloomberg) -- Germany will reduce federal debt sales by 13% next year as the government scales back despite a sputtering economy and pressure to support Ukraine’s defense against Russia. Most Read from BloombergHow California Sees the World, and ItselfHong Kong's Expat Party Hub Reshaped by Chinese InfluxLondon’s Tube Fares Are Set to Rise by 4.6% Next YearWith a change of power pending, the administration intends to sell about €380 billion ($400 billion) in securities, according to a statement

Swiss economy to grow 1.5% next year, government forecasts

The Swiss economy will grow by 1.5% next year, the government forecast on Tuesday, slightly revising down its outlook for one of Europe's traditionally most resilient economies. Switzerland's export-oriented economy had previously been forecast to grow by 1.2% this year and 1.6% next year, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) said. SECO said domestic demand is likely to be a key driver of growth next year in Switzerland, which is having to weather subdued demand for its goods in Germany and China.

Bank of Korea board members see need to respond to slowing economy, minutes show

South Korea's monetary policy board members said there was a need to respond quickly and preemptively to a slowing economy, as they decided to lower interest rates for a second straight meeting on Nov. 28, according to minutes released on Tuesday. "It is deemed more urgent at this time to respond preemptively to downward pressure on the economy," one member said. "As rate cuts alone will be insufficient to control the risks at hand, there is a critical need for timely and flexible policy coordination with fiscal policy," the member said.

Top investor dubs U.K. a ‘banana economy’ with a ‘build absolutely nothing anywhere near anything’ mantra

PIC says the U.K.’s stunted planning policy is leaving $250 billion for viable projects unused.

Wall Street ends lower, oil dips as Fed looms

U.S. stocks closed down on Tuesday and crude prices fell as investors parsed economic data and girded themselves for a series of central bank decisions, including an expected rate cut from the Federal Reserve. Bitcoin forged new record highs and benchmark U.S. Treasury yields steadied ahead of what is expected to be a "hawkish cut" from the U.S. central bank. Aside from the Fed, central banks Japan, Britain, Sweden and Norway are all slated to meet this week.

Oil prices ease 1% to one-week low on weak Chinese, German economic data

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices eased about 1% to a one-week low on Tuesday on demand worries following the release of negative economic news from Germany and China, while investors remained cautious ahead of a U.S. Federal Reserve decision on interest rates. Brent futures fell 72 cents, or 1.0%, to settle at $73.19 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude slipped 63 cents, or 0.9%, to settle at $70.08. In China, the world's second-biggest economy, industrial output growth quickened slightly in November, while retail sales disappointed, keeping alive calls for Beijing to ramp up consumer-focused stimulus as policymakers brace for more U.S. trade tariffs once President-elect Donald Trump takes office for a second time.

Dollar rises amid Fed rate cut expectations, better-than-expected retail sales data

The U.S. dollar gained against major currencies on Tuesday following better-than-expected retail sales data that showed underlying economic momentum while markets braced for interest rate moves from the Federal Reserve and other central banks. Commerce Department data on Tuesday showed U.S. retail sales surpassed expectations by jumping 0.7% in November, backed by an uptick in motor vehicle and online purchases. Markets expect the Fed will deliver a 25-basis-point interest rate cut at the end of its two-day policy meeting on Wednesday, with futures implying a nearly 97% chance of a cut, according to the CME's FedWatch tool.

Australian consumers fret over the economy in December, survey shows

Australian consumer sentiment took a step back in December as concerns about the economic outlook outweighed an improvement in people's own finances, a survey showed on Tuesday. The Westpac-Melbourne Institute index of consumer sentiment fell 2.0% in December, unwinding a little of the sharp gains seen over the previous two months. Westpac Senior Economist Matthew Hassan said the pullback was likely influenced by a disappointing reading on economic growth released in early December.

US Stocks Close Higher With Fed Rate-Cut Expected: Markets Wrap

(Bloomberg) -- US stocks broadly ended Monday’s session higher as traders geared up for interest-rate decisions by major central banks across the globe due later this week. Most Read from BloombergHong Kong's Expat Party Hub Reshaped by Chinese InfluxHow California Sees the World, and ItselfLondon’s Tube Fares Are Set to Rise by 4.6% Next YearThe S&P 500 rose 0.4% while the Nasdaq 100 gained 1.5% to notch another record high. Broadcom Inc. and Tesla Inc. were among the biggest gainers of the ses

Oil Slips as Lackluster Chinese Data Weakens Outlook for Demand

(Bloomberg) -- Oil slipped as economic data from China reinforced concerns about weakening demand in the world’s biggest crude importer. Most Read from BloombergHong Kong's Expat Party Hub Reshaped by Chinese InfluxHow California Sees the World, and ItselfLondon’s Tube Fares Are Set to Rise by 4.6% Next YearWest Texas Intermediate edged 0.8% lower to settle below $71 a barrel, while Brent breached $74. China’s crude refining dipped to the lowest in five months in November, while apparent oil dem

Inside the Fed, analysts reportedly avoid casual talk of tariffs in emails and meetings in case the comments are leaked and the central bank is perceived as anti-Trump

It appears Fed staff are erring on the side of caution, according to the New York Times, which cited people familiar with the matter.

Gold Edges Higher as Traders Assess Fed’s Rate-Cuts Outlook

(Bloomberg) -- Gold edged higher ahead of the Federal Reserve’s final interest-rate decision of the year, with traders also weighing the policy outlook for 2025.Most Read from BloombergHong Kong's Expat Party Hub Reshaped by Chinese InfluxHow California Sees the World, and ItselfLondon’s Tube Fares Are Set to Rise by 4.6% Next YearBullion’s gain followed a 2.6% decline in the previous two sessions on the back of mixed US data last week — including accelerating wholesale inflation and higher-than

US economic output grows at fastest pace in nearly 3 years to end 2024

S&P Global's flash US composite, which captures activity in both the services and manufacturing sectors, hit its highest level in 33 months during the month of December.

Damaged Russian ships spilled an estimated 3,700 tons of oil in Kerch Strait, state media says

An estimated 3,700 tons of low-grade fuel oil had spilled into the Kerch Strait after two Russian ships were seriously damaged by stormy weather, Russian state media reported Monday. The two ships, the Volgoneft 239 and the Volgoneft 212, were transporting roughly 9,200 tons of mazut, a heavy, low-quality oil product. Preliminary estimates say that 3,700 tons of mazut leaked into the sea, Russian state news outlet RIA Novosti reported, citing an unnamed source.

Texas Governor Boasts Economy Will Surpass France on Trump Boost

(Bloomberg) -- Texas Governor Greg Abbott has a new ambition for the Lone Star State: surpassing France as one of the world’s largest economies. Most Read from BloombergHong Kong's Expat Party Hub Reshaped by Chinese InfluxHow California Sees the World, and ItselfCity Hall Is HiringLondon’s Tube Fares Are Set to Rise by 4.6% Next YearAmerican Institute of Architects CEO ResignsAbbott predicted that economic output in Texas would soon exceed that of the struggling European nation thanks to boomin

Nasdaq closes at record as investors prepare for Fed rate decision

NEW YORK (Reuters) -The Nasdaq closed at a record high on Monday and the S&P 500 also rose as investors gauged the latest economic data while looking toward the Federal Reserve's final policy announcement of the year later in the week to gauge the path of interest rates. Markets have almost completely priced in a rate cut at the conclusion of the Fed's two-day policy meeting on Wednesday, with a 95.4% chance for a cut of 25 basis points (bps), according to CME's FedWatch Tool. "Maybe the market was a bit oversold last week and with almost a 100% likelihood that the Fed will cut on Wednesday, the only outstanding question is what kind of rhetoric, what kind of notes will investors get regarding guidance," said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist of CFRA Research in New York.

Fed sees a glimmer that recent US productivity gains may last

But her next step demonstrated why some Federal Reserve officials see the U.S. job market as not only healthy but perhaps contributing to rising productivity they are coming to believe may persist: Within a week the 33-year-old human resources professional accepted a job as a recruiter with a pool equipment operator that allowed her to work from home in Pennsylvania in her area of expertise - a sweet spot, she feels, for high performance. When Fed policymakers gather this week for their last meeting of the year, the focus will be on an expected quarter-percentage-point interest rate cut and policymakers' updated outlooks for the economy and rate cuts. But influencing those discussions and the longer-term arc of monetary policy is an emerging debate about productivity and how fast output can grow without stretching the economy's capacity and generating inflation above the Fed's 2% target.

Goldman Sachs Economists See Fed Skipping a Rate Cut in January

(Bloomberg) -- The Federal Reserve is likely to signal a slower future pace of easing when it meets later this week and then skip cutting interest rates in January, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. economists. Most Read from BloombergHong Kong's Expat Party Hub Reshaped by Chinese InfluxHow California Sees the World, and ItselfLondon’s Tube Fares Are Set to Rise by 4.6% Next YearAmerican Institute of Architects CEO ResignsWhile the US bank sees policymakers still delivering a 25 basis-point

Stock market today: Nasdaq hits a record as Wall Street drifts ahead of Federal Reserve's meeting

U.S. stock indexes drifted amid mixed trading Monday, ahead of this week’s upcoming meeting by the Federal Reserve that could set Wall Street’s direction into next year. The S&P 500 rose 0.4%, coming off its first losing week in the last four. The Nasdaq composite climbed 1.2% to a record, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was a laggard and fell 110 points, or 0.3%.

German Bonds Set for Another Strong Year as Economy Woes Deepen

(Bloomberg) -- Germany is heading into 2025 facing a snap election, trade tensions with the US and a possible recession. For debt investors that’s a perfect recipe for another strong year of returns.Most Read from BloombergHong Kong's Expat Party Hub Reshaped by Chinese InfluxHow California Sees the World, and ItselfCity Hall Is HiringLondon’s Tube Fares Are Set to Rise by 4.6% Next YearAmerican Institute of Architects CEO ResignsA Bloomberg Index of German bonds is on track to return 1.5% in 20

Glencore Hires Ex-BP Oil Trader for Top Crude Job in Asia

(Bloomberg) -- Glencore Plc has hired ex-BP Plc trader Aditya Ravavarapu to lead its Asian crude oil trading team out of Singapore, according to people with knowledge of the matter.Most Read from BloombergHong Kong's Expat Party Hub Reshaped by Chinese InfluxHow California Sees the World, and ItselfCity Hall Is HiringLondon’s Tube Fares Are Set to Rise by 4.6% Next YearAmerican Institute of Architects CEO ResignsRavavarapu is currently on gardening leave and will start with Glencore in January,

Dollar edges higher against major peers as investors eye Fed rate cut

NEW YORK/GDANSK (Reuters) -The U.S. dollar edged higher against major currencies in choppy trading on Monday, as investors eyed interest rate decisions from the Federal Reserve, Bank of Japan, Bank of England and other key central banks this week. Markets are pricing in a near 97% chance that the Fed will deliver a quarter-point interest rate cut at the end of its policy meeting on Wednesday, according to CME's FedWatch tool. "The U.S. dollar has been at the mercy of headlines not only just surrounding what the Fed is going to do but whether it's going to be deemed a hawkish cut," said Juan Perez, director of trading at Monex USA in Washington, D.C.

Oil sags on soft Chinese spending, investor pause before US Fed rate move

Oil futures slipped from the highest levels in several weeks on Monday on weakness in consumer spending in China, the world's largest oil importer, and as investors paused buying ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate decision. Last week, oil benefited from the expectation that supply would tighten with additional sanctions on crude producers Russia and Iran, while possible lower interest rates in the U.S. and Europe would spur demand. "We feel that last week’s events have been appropriately priced and that this week will be bringing fewer items capable of supporting oil prices," said Jim Ritterbusch of consultancy Ritterbusch and Associates in Florida.

US stocks end higher ahead of Fed, bitcoin surges

Megacap tech shares muscled the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq to higher closes on Monday as U.S. Treasury yields paused and investors readied for a busy central bank week. Bitcoin surged, touching a new high after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump suggested he plans to set up a bitcoin strategic reserve. The FANG group of tech and tech-adjacent momentum stocks outperformed, gaining 2.7% on the day.

Federal Reserve is likely to slow its rate cuts with inflation pressures still elevated

Americans hoping for lower borrowing costs for homes, credit cards and cars may be disappointed after this week's Federal Reserve meeting. The Fed's policymakers are likely to signal fewer interest rate cuts next year than were previously expected. The officials are set to reduce their benchmark rate, which affects many consumer and business loans, by a quarter-point to about 4.3% when their meeting ends Wednesday.

Nov	DEC	Jan
	18
2023	2024	2025

News

Life

Entertainment

Finance

Sports

New on Yahoo

Economic News and Analysis

Oil prices little changed ahead of Fed rate decision

Oil Halts Declines as Report Points to Large US Stockpile Draw

Dollar steady against peers as Fed rate cut looms

Gold Holds Decline as Focus on Fed for Next Year’s Rate Outlook

Fed Set to Deliver Third-Straight Interest Rate Cut

US ports brace for perfect storm as tariff threats scramble supply chains

Stocks Drop Before Fed’s Last Decision of the Year: Markets Wrap

Bond Traders Target Deeper 2025 Fed Rate Cuts Than Market Expectations

Gold Falls Alongside Stocks, Commodities Ahead of Fed Decision

Oil Dips as Equity Market Weakness, Chinese Data Weigh on Prices

Elon Musk, SpaceX face federal reviews over security, NYT reports