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European stocks are seen opening on a mixed note Thursday as investors await interest-rate decisions from the Swiss National Bank and the European Central Bank.<\/p>\n
Both are expected to reduce interest rates, with markets<\/span> weighing the prospects of half-point and a 25-bps cut, respectively. <\/p>\n Late on Wednesday, Brazil’s central bank increased the benchmark interest rate by a full percentage point and pledged to deliver two hikes of the same size in the next two meetings in light of more adverse scenario for inflation convergence. <\/p>\n The Bank of Canada made another big cut to its key interest rate Wednesday but warned it may be time to pump the brakes. <\/p>\n The Federal Reserve is widely expected to lower rates by 25 basis points at its Dec. 17-18 meeting, but the rate path beyond December is less certain.<\/p>\n U.S. producer price inflation data for November along with a report on weekly jobless claims due later in the day may provide further insights into the economic and rate outlook. <\/p>\n Asian markets traded mixed as investors await the outcome of a highly anticipated economic policy meeting in Beijing. <\/p>\n There were reports that China’s top leaders and policymakers are considering allowing the yuan to weaken next year in response to the threat of a trade war with the U.S. Gold dipped in Asian trade but held above $2,700 per ounce. Oil prices edged up slightly to extend overnight gains on possible sanctions on Russia by the European Union and expectations of increased demand from China. <\/p>\n Traders were also reacting to reports suggesting that the U.S. is considering imposing additional sanctions on Russia’s energy sector. <\/p>\n U.S. stocks rose broadly overnight and the dollar hit a two-week high as in-line inflation data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates by another quarter point next week.<\/p>\n Data showed the U.S. consumer price index rose 0.3 percent in November, the largest gain since April after climbing by 0.2 percent for four straight months.<\/p>\n On an annual basis, inflation rose to 2.7 percent last month from a year ago, up slightly from 2.6 percent in October. <\/p>\n Core inflation stayed firm, rising 0.3 percent for the fourth straight month. The annual rate came in at 3.3 percent, in line with forecasts. <\/p>\n The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite surged 1.8 percent to reach a new record high and close above 20,000 for the first time. <\/p>\n The S&P 500 climbed 0.8 percent to end just shy of a new high while the Dow slipped 0.2 percent.<\/p>\n European stocks also closed higher on Wednesday as U.S. inflation figures matched expectations and Chinese President Xi Jinping said the country will meet its 5 percent GDP growth target.<\/p>\n The pan European STOXX 600 gained 0.3 percent. The German DAX and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 both rose around 0.3 percent while France’s CAC 40 added 0.4 percent. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n Business News<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The U.S. dollar held steady after hitting a two-week high in the previous session, supported by a rise in U.S. Treasury yields.<\/p>\n