Welcome to CNBC-TV18’s Marketbuzz Podcast. Here are the top developments from around the world ahead of the trading session of December 19
-The Fed has lowered rates 25 basis points as expected, but also issued a forecast that it will now cut rates only twice in 2025 compared to four given in its previous forecast.
-Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the central bank would be more cautious as it considers further adjustments to the policy rate, noting the Fed is committed to reaching its 2% inflation target.
-US markets sank overnight after the US Federal Reserve signalled fewer than expected rate cuts for 2025. The Dow Jones fell 1,100 points or 2.6% to mark its worst day since August and extend its slide for the 10th day running. This is the longest losing streak for the index since 1974. This was also only the second instance in 2024 that the 30-stock index fell 1,000 points or more in a session.
-While the S&P 500 shed 3% to fall below 6,000, the Nasdaq shed 3.6% to close well below the 20,000 mark. This was the worst Fed policy day for the S&P 500 since 2001. On one hand, the Fed did cut interest rates by 25 basis points on expected lines, but said that it will now cut rates only twice in 2025 compared to four given in its previous forecast.
-Following the forecast, Asian stocks slid this morning, echoing a slump in US equities. Equity benchmarks in Japan, Australia and South Korea declined, helping drag a gauge of regional equities more than 1% lower. US stock futures edged higher after the S&P 500 suffered its biggest loss since 2001 for a Fed decision day.
-The Gift Nifty fell 300 points after the Wall Street sell-off, indicating more pain for Sensex and Nifty. The current trend indicates that Nifty is set to open below the level of 24,000.
-Even as the market struggled through the day yesterday, the session belonged to the three new listings on Dalal Street - Vishal Mega Mart, MobiKwik and Sai Life Sciences, all of which had a stellar debut on the bourses. The shares ended with gains between 40% to 90% from their issue price and now have a combined market capitalisation of ₹70,000 crore.
-Stocks to watch: Asian Paints, DOMS Industries, Yatharth Hospitals, Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Services, Borosil Renewables, IOL Chemicals, NITCO, Indowind Energy, JSW Infra
Tune in to the Marketbuzz Podcast for more cues
