Stock markets ‘lack direction’ edging lower Monday ahead of U.S. economic data – Investment Executive

Group 1: Canadian Market Insights - Canadian annual inflation rose 2.2% in November, unchanged from the previous month and slightly below economists' expectations [1] - The S&P/TSX composite index decreased by 43.95 points, closing at 31,483.44 [2] - The Bank of Canada maintained its policy rate at 2.25%, with analysts suggesting it missed an opportunity to lower borrowing costs given inflation is at target [2] Group 2: U.S. Market Dynamics - U.S. indexes were influenced by mixed performances in the artificial intelligence sector, with Nvidia increasing by 0.7% after a previous drop, while Oracle fell by 2.7% following a significant decline [3][4] - Concerns about the profitability of investments in AI-related chips and data centers are causing volatility in the sector, which previously drove market rallies [4] - The upcoming U.S. jobs report and inflation data are critical as the Federal Reserve assesses economic conditions, with weak data potentially being viewed positively by the market [5][6] Group 3: Commodity Prices - The January crude oil contract decreased by 62 cents, settling at US$56.82 per barrel [7] - The February gold contract increased by US$6.90, reaching US$4,335.20 per ounce [7]