Stocks looked set to move sideways on Tuesday, with much of Wall Street on vacation and only a couple of economic data releases due between now and the holiday season. The three major indexes all rallied on Monday, putting the S&P within striking distance of its record closing high. Volumes have been light, but investors appear to be in a cheery enough mood in the lead-up to Christmas, with risk assets buoyed by last week's cooler-than-expected inflation print. Futures tracking the Dow Jones Industrial Aver ...

Economic concerns don't seem to be having a large impact on holiday shopping this season. According to a new Visa analysis, it shows that retail sales increased by 4.2% year-over-year across all payment types. That includes cash and checks.And join us right now with a lot more on that report is Michael Brown, principal US economist for Visa. What was the biggest surprise for you. >> Was just the resilience of consumers.uh as you pointed out, we have seen sort of soft much softer consumer uh sentiment and an ...

Core Insights - Economic concerns have not significantly impacted holiday shopping, with retail sales increasing by 4.2% year-over-year across all payment types, including cash and checks [1] - Despite softer consumer sentiment and confidence compared to the previous year, consumer spending has remained resilient [2] - Even when adjusting for inflation, retail sales are still projected to be up by approximately 2.2% in inflation-adjusted terms [3] Consumer Behavior - There is a noticeable bifurcation in consumer spending, with the bottom 25% of income earners experiencing positive wage growth, albeit lower than the previous year [4][5] - A shift in consumer spending from goods to services has been observed, particularly among younger consumers, with increased interest in travel and experiences during the holiday season [6] Future Projections - Tax refunds are expected to be slightly larger in the coming year due to a recent tax cut package, which may boost early-year consumption [7] - Modest inflation is anticipated throughout the year, along with potential Federal Reserve rate cuts, supporting consumer spending growth projected at around 2.8% year-on-year, an increase from the estimated 2.6% for the current year [8]

Company Overview - AbbVie Inc. is ranked sixth among prominent biomedical companies by revenue and has shifted focus from blockbuster drug revenues to growing oncology and neuroscience segments [1] - The company is recognized as a top healthcare stock pick across Wall Street and offers a reliable 2.93% dividend [1] Product Portfolio - AbbVie develops and manufactures a range of pharmaceuticals, including Imbruvica for blood cancers, Rinvoq for various autoimmune diseases, Skyrizi for psoriasis, and Humira for autoimmune and intestinal diseases [1] - The company also provides a variety of eye care products, including Ozurdex and Restasis, as well as treatments for advanced Parkinson's disease and migraine [7][9] Financial Performance - Quality dividend stocks, such as those offered by AbbVie, are favored by investors for their steady income and potential for total return, which includes interest, capital gains, and dividends [2][4] - Companies with strong dividend growth histories, like AbbVie, can provide consistent income even during economic fluctuations [4] Market Position - AbbVie is noted for its sustainable payout ratios and consistent free cash flow generation, making it a solid choice for long-term investors [4] - The company is part of a broader trend where quality dividend stocks are expected to perform well in the coming years, particularly as inflation rates decline [5][6]

Mexico’s annual inflation slowed earlier this month, supporting the central bank’s latest decision to extend its cycle of interest rate cuts https://t.co/gxm1dPC4pV ...

Brazil’s annual inflation slowed in line with expectations earlier this month https://t.co/EcUuFU2HZt ...

Core Insights - The average price of unleaded gasoline in the U.S. has been below $3 a gallon for most of December 2025, marking the lowest level since 2021 and the cheapest December since the pandemic year of 2020 [1] - Fuel prices have decreased approximately 7% from the previous month and are down about 43% from mid-2022 highs near $5 a gallon, which were driven by inflation following the pandemic [2] - AAA forecasts that over 122 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home during the holiday season, with nearly 90% of travelers expected to use cars [2] Price Trends - The decline in gasoline prices may alleviate some of the financial pressure from ongoing inflation during the holiday season [3] - A survey indicated that over 40% of respondents plan to spend less during the holidays, a six-point increase from the previous year, with 46% attributing their budget cuts to high costs of goods [3] Regional Variances - There are significant regional differences in gas prices, with Hawaii and California averaging above $4 per gallon, while Oklahoma's average is just below $2.30 [4]

Core Insights - Deposit account rates are declining, but competitive returns on certificates of deposit (CDs) can still be locked in, with the best CDs offering rates above 4% [1] Group 1: Current CD Rates - The best short-term CDs (six to 12 months) currently offer rates around 4% to 4.5% APY, with the highest rate at 4.1% APY from Sallie Mae Bank for a 15-month CD and LendingClub Bank for an 8-month CD [2] - CDs generally provide higher rates than traditional savings accounts, making them an attractive option for savers [2] Group 2: Historical Context - CD rates were relatively high in the early 2000s but began to decline due to economic slowdowns and Federal Reserve rate cuts, with average one-year CDs at around 1% APY by 2009 [3] - The trend of falling CD rates continued into the 2010s, with average rates dropping to about 0.1% APY for 6-month CDs by 2013 due to the Fed's near-zero interest rate policy [4] - A slight recovery in CD rates occurred between 2015 and 2018 as the Fed gradually increased rates, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to emergency rate cuts, causing new record lows [5] Group 3: Recent Developments - Following the pandemic, inflation prompted the Fed to hike rates 11 times between March 2022 and July 2023, resulting in higher APYs on savings products, including CDs [6] - As of September 2024, the Fed has started cutting the federal funds rate, leading to a gradual decrease in CD rates from their peak, although they remain high by historical standards [7] Group 4: Understanding CD Rates - Traditionally, longer-term CDs offer higher interest rates, but current trends show the highest average CD rate is for a 12-month term, indicating a flattening or inversion of the yield curve [8] - Factors to consider when choosing a CD include goals for locking away funds, type of financial institution, account terms, and inflation considerations [9]

Central Banks' Rate Cuts - Major central banks have implemented interest rate cuts in 2025 at the fastest pace and largest scale since the financial crisis, with significant easing also observed in developing nations [1][2] - Nine central banks overseeing the 10 most traded currencies lowered their benchmark lending rates, delivering a total of 850 basis points across 32 rate reductions, marking the largest number of cuts since 2008 and the most extensive easing since 2009 [2] Change in Monetary Policy Tone - There has been a notable shift in monetary policy tone ahead of 2026, contrasting sharply with the rate hikes seen in 2022 and 2023 aimed at combating inflation due to rising energy prices [3] - Analysts suggest that 2026 may see a change in direction, with expectations of potential rate hikes from several G10 central banks, particularly Canada and Australia [3][4] Emerging Markets' Rate Cuts - In December, eight central banks from a sample of 18 developing economies delivered 350 basis points of cuts, contributing to a total of 3,085 basis points of easing across 51 moves in 2025, significantly surpassing the 2,160 basis points in 2024 [6]

Currency markets are not always sensitive to inflation itself. What they care about is what inflation signals — about growth, policy, credibility, governance, and perhaps most of all, predictability.By now, the mix is familiar — uneven goods inflation, tariffs doing their work in the background, stubbornly high rents and housing costs. Fed Chair Jerome Powell has repeatedly pointed to trade policy as a contributor to inflation overshoots, while emphasizing that officials need clearer evidence before conclud ...