Economic Overview - Inflation pressures are easing, with the consumer price index (CPI) rising 2.4% year-over-year in January, down 0.3% from the previous month, marking the lowest level since May 2025 [4][11] - Core CPI, excluding food and energy, rose 2.5% year-over-year, matching expectations and the lowest since April 2021 [5] - The U.S. economy added 130,000 jobs in January, with the unemployment rate decreasing to 4.3% from 4.4% in December [6] Federal Reserve Insights - The Federal Reserve is optimistic about inflation slowing to 2.4% by the end of 2026 and economic growth accelerating to 2.3% [7] - The recent CPI data aligns with the Fed's forecast, providing reassurance amid concerns over a cooling labor market [2][7] Investment Recommendations - Four consumer discretionary stocks are recommended for purchase: Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL), Callaway Golf Company (CALY), Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (DLB), and Marriott International, Inc. (MAR) [2] - These stocks have experienced positive earnings estimate revisions in the past 60 days and carry Zacks Ranks of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) [3] Company-Specific Insights Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL) - CCL is the largest cruise operator globally, with an expected earnings growth rate of 12.9% for the current year and a 6.3% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 60 days [8][9] Callaway Golf Company (CALY) - CALY specializes in premium golf equipment and apparel, with an expected earnings growth rate of 28.6% and earnings estimates improving over 100% in the last 60 days [12][11] Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (DLB) - DLB focuses on audio and imaging technologies, with an expected earnings growth rate of 0.9% and a 1.9% improvement in earnings estimates over the past 60 days [13][14] Marriott International, Inc. (MAR) - MAR is a leading hospitality company with a development pipeline of 4,056 hotels and approximately 610,000 rooms, expecting earnings growth of 16.5% for the current year [15][16]

Group 1 - Investors expect the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates two more times in 2023, targeting a federal funds rate of 3% to 3.25% by September [1] - A prominent billionaire investor believes the market is underestimating the Fed's potential for more than two rate cuts this year [2] - The selection of Kevin Warsh as the new Fed Chair has relieved market concerns about potential aggressive rate cuts to please the President [5] Group 2 - Kevin Warsh has a notable background in finance, having worked with Stanley Druckenmiller and served on the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors [6] - Investor David Einhorn anticipates that Warsh will advocate for rate cuts even in a strong economy, unless inflation reaches 4% or 5% [7] - Historically, Warsh has been more concerned about inflation than labor market conditions, which may influence his stance on rate cuts given current inflation levels above the Fed's 2% target [8]

Group 1 - The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate by 25 basis points, placing the overnight borrowing rate in the 3.5%-3.75% range [1] - Experts believe that mortgage rates are influenced by various factors beyond interest rate decisions, including tariffs, inflation, and stagnant wages [2] - The Mortgage Bankers Association reported a 3.8% decline in total mortgage application volume for the week ending December 12 compared to the previous week [4] Group 2 - Financial experts predict that mortgage rates will not change significantly in 2026, with minimal rate cuts expected [5] - The recent Fed meeting saw a non-unanimous vote, indicating a lack of alignment among board members regarding interest rate decisions [5] - As of December 19, the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate conventional loan was 6.208%, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.04% from the previous week [5]

LONDON (AP) — Inflation in the U.K. fell to a 10-month low largely on the back of lower food and gas prices, official figures showed Wednesday, a downward move that has reinforced expectations that the Bank of England will cut interest rates in March. The Office for National Statistics said the consumer prices index was 3% higher in January than the year before, down from 3.4% in December. The decline was in line with analysts' expectations and puts inflation well on the path to the central bank's targe ...

A new piece of research shows just how well U.S. stocks rise when inflation is receding rather than accelerating. ...

Economic Outlook - The Bank of England is urged to implement quick interest rate cuts to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis and boost consumer spending and business confidence [1][2] - Trade unions support interest rate cuts, citing easing inflation as beneficial for working families, with expectations of further softening due to government support for energy bills and other costs [2] - Firms are looking for inflation easing to be accompanied by measures to reduce business costs, such as business rates reform, to stimulate economic growth [3] Inflation and Interest Rates - The Consumer Price Index (CPI) has dropped to 3.0%, the lowest level in nearly a year, indicating potential for interest rate cuts by the Bank of England [25][28] - Analysts predict a 25 basis point cut in interest rates at the next Bank of England meeting, with further cuts anticipated if inflation continues to decline [19][21][20] - Despite the drop in headline inflation, services inflation remains sticky, suggesting caution from the Monetary Policy Committee [22] Market Performance - The FTSE 100 index has reached new record highs, driven by gains in sectors such as mining, defense, and banking [6][15][28] - BAE Systems has reported a 10% increase in sales to £30.7 billion and a record order book of £83.6 billion, reflecting strong demand in the defense sector [23][10] - Glencore's revenue for 2025 increased by 7% to $247.54 billion, with adjusted EBIT falling less than expected, indicating resilience in the mining sector [16][17] Company-Specific Developments - BAE Systems has increased its dividend by 10% and expects sales growth of 7-9% for the current year, supported by rising global defense spending [23][13] - Glencore's performance improved significantly in the second half of the year, aided by stronger metals prices and higher copper output [17] - BAE's free cash flow is projected to exceed £1.3 billion, contributing to a reduction in net debt by 22% [13][24]

Traders work at the New York Stock Exchange on Feb. 10, 2026. NYSELONDON — European stocks opened higher on Wednesday as investors weighed the latest U.K. inflation data and monitored global market developments. The pan-European Stoxx 600 was roughly 0.5% higher shortly after the open, and the U.K.'s FTSE 100 and France's CAC 40 were up 0.3%, while Germany's DAX rose 0.4%.German life sciences company Bayer extended losses and was down 7.3% in early trading after its Monsanto Unit had proposed paying $7.25 b ...

Fundamentals - Spot gold rose 0.2% to $4,886.69 per ounce after declining more than 2% to a more than one-week low on Tuesday [1][9] - U.S. gold futures for April delivery remained steady at $4,904.50 [1][9] - A stronger dollar makes gold more expensive for holders of other currencies [4][10] - Markets expect three 25-basis-point Fed rate cuts this year, which typically benefits non-yielding bullion [6][10] - Spot silver fell 0.8% to $72.86 per ounce after dropping over 4% in the last session [7][10] - Spot platinum gained 0.9% to $2,025.80 per ounce, while palladium added 0.5% to $1,690.54 [7][10] Market Conditions - Mainland Chinese, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea markets are closed for the Lunar New Year holidays, leading to low trading volumes and potential volatility [5][10] - Geopolitical risks are keeping markets on edge as investors await the Federal Reserve's January meeting minutes for insights into future rate cuts [10] Economic Indicators - Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee indicated that the Fed could approve "several more" rate cuts this year if inflation declines to the central bank's 2% target [5][10] - Recent weak consumer price reports may mask strong service price increases [5][10]

Core Viewpoint - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has decided to keep interest rates unchanged, indicating an expectation for inflation to decrease soon and for economic recovery to accelerate in the upcoming year [1] Summary by Relevant Categories Monetary Policy - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand maintained its current interest rates during the latest monetary policy meeting [1] Economic Outlook - The central bank anticipates a retreat in inflation in the near future [1] - There is an expectation for economic recovery to gain momentum over the next year [1]

US stock futures rose on Wednesday following a muted day on Wall Street, as investors looked ahead to fresh signals on inflation and monetary policy. Contracts on the S&P 500 (ES=F) and the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 (NQ=F) both rose 0.3%. Meanwhile, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures (YM=F) edged up roughly 0.2% after the major US gauges closed Tuesday with modest gains. Investors now turn their attention to the Federal Reserve’s January meeting minutes, due Wednesday, for additional insight into policyma ...