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U.S. investors snapped up equity funds for a sixth consecutive week through Dec. 11, spurred by the potential for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut at the upcoming meeting, amid signs of a moderating labor market and cooling inflation. They acquired a net $6.36 billion worth of U.S equity funds during the week, after a net $8.82 billion worth of additions in the previous week per LSEG Lipper data. Futures markets predict a 96.7% chance that the U.S. Federal Reserve would reduce rates by a quarter-point at its Dec. 17-18 meeting to support a cooling labor market with about 4.2% unemployment rate in November.

Global equity funds attracted inflows for an 11th successive week through Dec. 11, supported by signs that a cooling U.S. labor market and stable consumer prices might facilitate a third consecutive rate cut by the Federal Reserve this month. Investors snapped up global equity funds worth a net $10.18 billion during the week, following about $21.19 billion worth of net purchases in the prior week, LSEG Lipper data showed. Last week's U.S. employment report showed a surge in job growth for November, rebounding from disruptions caused by hurricanes and strikes, but the unemployment rate increased to 4.2%, signaling a loosening labor market that could prompt the Federal Reserve to cut interest ...

(Bloomberg) -- Federal Reserve officials will lower interest rates this month for a third straight time and pare back the number of rate cuts they anticipate next year, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg News.Most Read from BloombergHong Kong's Expat Party Hub Reshaped by Chinese InfluxBrace for a Nationwide Shuffle of Corporate HeadquartersHow California Sees the World, and ItselfCity Hall Is HiringAmerican Institute of Architects CEO ResignsFed Chair Jerome Powell and his colleagues

Americans don't think import tariffs are a good idea if they lead to higher prices and are skeptical they would help U.S. workers, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found, underscoring the political risks to President-elect Donald Trump's plan to impose heavy fees on goods from China, Mexico and other nations. Only 29% of respondents in the six-day poll, which closed on Tuesday, agreed with a statement that "it’s a good idea for the U.S. to charge higher tariffs on imported goods even if prices increase," while 42% disagreed. Just 17% of respondents agreed with a statement that "when the U.S. charges tariffs on imported goods, it is good for me personally."

Investors view it as a near given that the U.S. Federal Reserve will cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point at its Dec. 17-18 meeting, with more attention focused on policymakers' new economic projections released alongside the decision. Those projections will include an updated look at how much further Fed officials think they will reduce rates in 2025 and perhaps into 2026, an exercise that will have to account for data in the meantime showing stickier-than-expected inflation, a healthy labor market, a U.S. election result that could shift the global trade and immigration landscape, and ongoing geopolitical risks. With so much to assess, a multitude of new risks, and a lot of uncertainty, many analysts expect the collective messaging from the central bank's policy statement on Wednesday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell's post-meeting press conference and the updated projections to be somewhat hawkish - with the Fed perhaps closer to a rate-cut stopping point, or at least very reluctant to commit to many more reductions in borrowing costs, than it was just a few months ago.

Investors view it as a near given that the U.S. Federal Reserve will cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point at its Dec. 17-18 meeting, with more attention focused on policymakers' new economic projections released alongside the decision. Those projections will include an updated look at how much further Fed officials think they will reduce rates in 2025 and perhaps into 2026, an exercise that will have to account for data in the meantime showing stickier-than-expected inflation, a healthy labor market, a U.S. election result that could shift the global trade and immigration landscape, and ongoing geopolitical risks. With so much to assess, a multitude of new risks, and a lot of uncertainty, many analysts expect the collective messaging from the central bank's policy statement on Wednesday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell's post-meeting press conference and the updated projections to be somewhat hawkish - with the Fed perhaps closer to a rate-cut stopping point, or at least very reluctant to commit to many more reductions in borrowing costs, than it was just a few months ago.

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