Cooling US Inflation Fails to Alter Rate Cut Expectations, JPMorgan Leads Financial Stocks Lower, Yen Falls to 159, Bitcoin Hits New Yearly High
U.S. inflation data did not alter market expectations for the timing of Federal Reserve rate cuts. The core CPI for December remained at 2.6%, matching a four-year low, yet markets continued to price in the first rate cut for June. Major U.S. stock indices closed lower, with the financial sector underperforming as JPMorgan fell over 4% due to weaker investment banking revenue. Treasury yields were largely flat, with the 10-year near 4.17%, while bond market volatility declined.
The dollar strengthened, pushing USD/JPY above 159 amid concerns over Japan's potential debt crisis. Despite dollar strength, gold hit a record high above $4,600 before retreating slightly, and the gold-silver ratio fell to a multi-year low of 52. Analysts noted that precious metals are acting as hedges against macroeconomic uncertainty rather than reacting solely to inflation and rate expectations.
Oil prices rose for a fourth consecutive session, with WTI crude surpassing $61 per barrel following geopolitical tensions. Bitcoin also climbed, nearing its yearly high. European equities were mixed, with the Euro Stoxx 50 hitting a record high for the third straight session, while the broader Stoxx 600 dipped slightly.
华尔街日报01/13 22:31