Stock Index Futures Slip in Weak End to a Banner Year

Economic Data - The U.S. Chicago PMI rose to 43.5 in December, exceeding expectations of 39.8 [1] - The U.S. October S&P/CS HPI Composite - 20 n.s.a. eased to +1.3% y/y from +1.4% y/y in September, stronger than expectations of +1.1% y/y [1] Stock Market Performance - Wall Street's major indexes closed lower, with KLA Corp. and Applied Materials falling over -1% [2] - Pharmaceutical stocks like Gilead Sciences and Vertex Pharmaceuticals dropped more than -1% [2] - Citigroup slipped about -0.8% after announcing a projected $1.1 billion after-tax loss on the sale of its remaining business in Russia [2] - Molina Healthcare rose over +2% following a bullish stance from investor Michael Burry [2] Federal Reserve Insights - Minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee's December meeting indicated that most officials support additional interest-rate cuts if inflation eases [6] - Some officials expressed that it may be appropriate to keep the target range unchanged for some time after December's cut [6] - Investors anticipate at least two rate reductions next year, with an 82.8% chance of no rate change at the January FOMC meeting [7] International Market Trends - The Euro Stoxx 50 Index is down -0.22% in thin trading, with technology and mining stocks retreating [9] - The benchmark index is poised to finish 2025 up around 18%, driven by resilient economic growth and increased fiscal spending [9] - Chinese manufacturing activity returned to expansion in December, with the Manufacturing PMI at 50.1, stronger than expectations of 49.2 [12] - China's non-manufacturing PMI also rebounded to 50.2, exceeding expectations of 49.6 [12]