Global markets show mixed signals this Monday, December 8, as investors keenly await the Federal Reserve's upcoming interest rate decision. US stock futures are trading mostly flat. Meanwhile, crude oil prices are hovering near two-week highs, and gold prices are seeing an uptick in some markets. India's Nifty and Sensex opened with declines, influenced by foreign institutional investor outflows, despite a recent Reserve Bank of India rate cut. ### Fed Rate Cut Expectations Dominate Sentiment Market participants widely anticipate a 25 basis point interest rate cut from the US Federal Reserve this week. The Fed's rate-setting committee will meet on Tuesday and Wednesday. Traders are pricing in an approximately 84% to 88% chance of a quarter-point rate cut at this meeting.^[1][2][3][4] This expectation has boosted market sentiment globally, following a delayed inflation report last Friday that showed consumer prices increased only slightly in September.^[2][3] The US 10-year Treasury Note yield rose to 4.15% on December 8, marking a 0.01 percentage point increase from the previous session.^[5][6] Over the past month, the yield has edged up by 0.03 points.^[5] However, it remains 0.05 points lower than a year ago.^[5] The yield reached a two-week high above 4.1% as markets assessed the Fed's rate path for the coming year.^[5] ### Global Market Performance and Currency Movements US stock futures for the S&P 500 were up 0.1%, while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were flat.^[6] Nasdaq-100 futures also edged slightly higher by 0.1%.^[3] Major US indexes closed higher on Friday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite extending four-day winning streaks.^[2][7] Both the Dow and Nasdaq recorded their second consecutive weekly gains.^[2][3] The S&P 500 is now less than 1% from its all-time intraday high.^[3][8] Asian markets showed mixed performance earlier today. Japan's Nikkei 225 index gained 0.2%, while South Korea's Kospi edged 0.2% higher.^[6][7] Hong Kong's Hang Seng index, however, declined by 1.2%, and China's benchmark Shanghai Composite climbed 0.5%.^[6] In Europe, the Stoxx Europe 600 declined 0.1% in morning trading, with France's CAC 40 decreasing 0.3% and Germany's DAX holding steady.^[6] The US Dollar Index (DXY) edged lower, falling to 98.9812 on December 8, down 0.01% from the previous session.^[9] Over the past month, the dollar has weakened 0.61% and is down by 6.75% over the last 12 months.^[9] The Indian Rupee fell 16 paise to 90.11 against the US dollar in early trade, impacted by foreign capital outflows and uncertainty around the US-India trade deal.^[10][11][12] The local currency has depreciated by 5% so far this year, making it the worst performer among Asian peers.^[10] ### Commodity Markets See Activity Crude oil prices are holding near two-week highs, influenced by expectations of a US Federal Reserve interest rate cut and ongoing geopolitical risks.^[1][13][14] Brent crude futures rose 9 cents, or 0.14%, to $63.84 a barrel.^[1] US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was at $60.16, up 8 cents, or 0.13%.^[1] Both contracts closed Friday's session at their highest levels since November 18.^[1] Geopolitical tensions, including slow progress in Ukraine peace talks and discussions around Russian and Venezuelan supply, continue to influence oil markets.^[1][14] Gold prices showed mixed movements. In India, the price of 24K gold rose to ₹130,340 per 10 grams, a gain of ₹40 compared to its previous close on December 8. Int^[15]ernationally, spot gold prices dropped 0.04%, reaching $4,210.47 per ounce as of 10:10 AM. Gol^[16]d prices in Delhi edged up, with 24 Karat gold quoted at ₹13,057 per gram after falling ₹5,000 in the previous trading session. Silver ^[17]prices, however, dropped by ₹20 per tola in Nepal, falling to ₹3,585 per tola. ### Indian^[18] Market Outlook and Corporate News Indian equity benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, opened lower on Monday, December 8. The 30-shar^[11][19]e BSE Sensex dropped 316.52 points, or 0.37%, to 85,395.85 in morning trade. The 50-shar^[19]e NSE Nifty declined by 106.70 points, or 0.41%, to 26,079.75. This comes ^[19]despite the Reserve Bank of India cutting the repo rate by 25 basis points last week, which had buoyed markets on Friday. Foreign ins^[10][20]titutional investors (FIIs) were net sellers of shares worth ₹438.90 crore on Friday, December 5, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought stocks worth ₹4,189.17 crore. Several compan^[7][19]ies are in the news. Wave Life Sciences will announce interim data from its Phase 1 INLIGHT clinical trial for obesity today, December 8. Air Products an^[21]d Yara International are in advanced negotiations to partner on low-emission ammonia projects, with final investment decisions targeted by mid-2026. Huawei has part^[22]nered with South Africa's Broadband Infraco (BBI) to build a national intelligent all-optical backbone network. ### Upcoming I^[23]POs and Analyst Recommendations India's IPO market is set for an active week, with three mainboard issues, eight SME openings, and thirteen key listings scheduled. Wakefit Innovat^[24]ions IPO will open today, December 8, with a price band of ₹185–₹195 per share. The ICICI Prudential ^[24]Asset Management Company IPO is set to open on December 12. Analysts have issued^[24] stock recommendations for the week. Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd. identified Safari Industries and JSW Steel as top picks. Safari Industries is ^[25]consolidating its position as one of India's fastest-growing luggage players. JSW Steel's joint ven^[25]ture with JFE Steel reflects a strategic pivot toward better capital efficiency. Sumeet Bagadia recomm^[25]ends SBC Exports, Atal Realtech, and IDFC First Bank for Monday. SBI Securities' Sudee^[26]p Shah recommends AB Capital and Indus Towers as top stock picks for the week. ### Economic Calenda^[27]r and Market Outlook No major macroeconomic statistics are scheduled for release in the US today, December 8. However, the New York^[28] Fed's consumer expectations survey releases this morning. The focus remains on ^[3]the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting later this week. Other central bank me^[3]etings, including the Reserve Bank of Australia, Bank of Canada, and Swiss National Bank, are also scheduled this week. The Nifty 50 index i^[28][29]s expected to move toward the 26,500 zone in the near term, with a strong support zone anticipated at 25,950 to 25,900. Bank Nifty is also we^[27][30]ll-positioned for further gains, with near-term targets at 60,400 and potentially 61,000. Investors remain watc^[30]hful of global economic cues, shifting currency flows, and commodity trends.

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