Briefings

Week InReview: January 17, 2025

US stock futures tick higher.

US stock futures are ticking higher, indicating the S&P 500 will add to an almost 2% weekly performance, its strongest since November's election. The pound weakened after a surprise drop in UK retail sales. 

 

Risk mood sours with the US dollar gaining against most major peers. Asian stocks edge down despite data showing China's economy had a somewhat strong finish to 2024. Treasuries steady as Fed Governor Waller said officials could cut rates again in the first half of 2025.

 

China's economy grew 5% in 2024, hitting the government's growth goal, although looming US tariffs threaten to take away a key driver of expansion.

 

Wall Street's biggest banks paid out the most in three years to shareholders in the form of dividends and buybacks.

 

Bond yields dropped after Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said that officials could lower rates again in the first half of 2025. While most companies rose, a slide in tech megacaps dragged down the stock market.

 

Almost three quarters of Bank of Japan watchers predict an interest rate hike next week, according to the latest Bloomberg survey. That's a jump in expectations after Governor Kazuo Ueda said his board will discuss the move.


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