United States Natural Gas Fund LP (ARCA: UNG)

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The investment seeks to reflect the daily changes in percentage terms of the price of natural gas delivered at the Henry Hub, Louisiana, as measured by the daily changes in the price of a specified short-term futures contract. The fund invests primarily in futures contracts for natural gas that are traded on the NYMEX, ICE Futures Europe and ICE Futures U.S. (together, “ICE Futures”) or other U.S. and foreign exchanges.

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Donald Trump amenaza a la Unión Europea con aranceles si no compra más gas natural licuado de Estados Unidos.

Trump exige a la UE comprar más GNL de EE.UU. o enfrentar aranceles

United States Natural Gas Fund LP

On Monday, December 23rd, U.S. markets closed higher, with the Nasdaq and Dow marking three straight gains, driven by strong performances from tech giants like Meta, Nvidia, and Tesla. Lighter holiday trading volumes amplified moves as investors adjusted to the Federal Reserve&#8217;s signals of a slower pace of rate cuts.
In economic data, the Chicago Fed National Activity Index improved to -0.12 in November from -0.5 in October. U.S. durable goods orders fell 1.1% to $285.1 billion, missing market expectations of a 0.4% decline.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors rose, led by communication services, health care, and tech, while consumer staples and materials lagged and closed lower.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.16% and closed at 42,906.95, the S&amp;P 500 closed higher by 0.73% at 5,974.07, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.98% to finish at 19,764.88.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Tuesday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 declined 0.26% and ended the session at 39,071.50, led by losses in the Railway &amp; Bus, Transport and Fishery sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 rose 0.24% and ended the day at 8,220.90, led by gains in the A-REITs, Healthcare, and Energy sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 slid 0.10% to 23,729.25, and the Nifty 500 was down 0.08%, closing at 22,393.50. Losses in the fast-moving consumer goods, metals, and healthcare sectors led to the decline.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite rose 1.26% to close at 3,393.53, and the Shenzhen CSI 300 gained 1.27%, finishing the day at 3,983.69.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng was up 1.08% and closed the session at 20,121.91.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 06:00 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 index was down 0.22%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX slid 0.18%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC gained 0.56%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded higher by 0.51%.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 06:00 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.92% at $69.88/bbl, and Brent was up 0.86% at $72.94/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices rose, supported by a positive short-term market outlook, signs of higher demand, and China&#8217;s fiscal stimulus plans.</li>
<li>Natural Gas rose 2.99% to $3.447.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.08% at $2,630.40, Silver was up 0.01% to $30.192 and rose 0.83% to $4.1185.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 06:00 AM ET
Dow futures were up 0.01%, S&amp;P 500 futures were up 0.10%, and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.15%.
Forex at 06:00 AM ET
The U.S. Dollar Index was up 0.14% to 108.18, USD/JPY slid 0.04% to 157.09, and USD/AUD rose 0.25% to 1.6042.
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Asia And Europe Markets Mixed, Dollar Holds Strong - Global Markets Today While US Slept

President-elect Donald Trump has reignited trans-Atlantic trade tensions, demanding the European Union buy more U.S. oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/tariffs">or face sweeping tariffs. </a>
The U.S. is already Europe's largest energy supplier. Questions remain over whether Trump&#8217;s ultimatum will escalate into a broader trade war.
"I told the European Union that they must make up their tremendous deficit with the United States by the large-scale purchase of our oil and gas. Otherwise, it is TARIFFS all the way!!!" Trump wrote Friday on his social media platform, Truth Social.
U.S. natural gas prices — tracked by the United States Natural Gas Fund LP (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNG#NYSE">UNG</a>) — has risen by 25% since Trump&#8217;s election victory in November.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">US LNG: A Major Player In Europe's Energy Crisis</h3>
The U.S. delivered 47 million tons (mt) of LNG over the past year (December 2023–November 2024), accounting for 51% of total U.S. LNG exports and 46% of Europe's LNG imports.
This surge in trade reflects a sharp pivot in Europe's energy strategy following the 2022 energy crisis sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions on Moscow.
Goldman Sachs data shows that U.S. LNG deliveries to Europe rose 197% during the crisis, while shipments to non-European destinations fell by 41%.
According to Samantha Dart, commodity analyst at Goldman Sachs, this reallocation was made possible by the flexible destination clauses in U.S. LNG contracts, which allow buyers to redirect cargoes to the most lucrative markets.
"The US is not only Europe's largest LNG supplier but also the primary source of future LNG import growth for the region," Dart said, citing long-term contracts signed since the start of the Ukraine war. 
These agreements amount to nearly 16 million tons per annum (mtpa), making the US the top global supplier in terms of contracted European LNG volumes.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Can US LNG Fully Replace Russian Gas?</h3>
Theoretically, U.S. LNG could replace Russia's 17 mt of annual LNG exports to Europe, according to Goldman Sachs.
However, Dart indicating that such a shift would likely come with higher costs for European buyers.
"The reallocation of US LNG cargoes to Europe could lead to higher freight costs and elevated European import prices to motivate the rerouting of shipments originally destined for other regions," Dart said. 
She added that such a move would have "little to no impact" on total U.S. LNG export volumes, given that US liquefaction capacity is already operating at its limit.
Goldman Sachs also highlighted that expanding U.S. LNG export capacity would take time, with new liquefaction facilities unlikely to come online before 2027 or 2028.
This timeline significantly limits the potential for a near-term increase in U.S. LNG exports to meet Europe's energy needs.
Yet, Europe's climate agenda may limit its willingness to commit to additional long-term LNG deals. "Europe's decarbonization goals might limit European companies' appetite for long-term commitments to grow natural gas use," Dart said. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tariffs As A Trump Negotiation Strategy</h3>
Trump's renewed focus on tariffs aligns with his broader economic agenda. During his first term, he used tariffs to push for concessions from trading partners, targeting allies like Canada, Mexico, and South Korea, as well as adversaries like China.
For example, during the 2018-2019 trade war with China, Beijing retaliated with LNG tariffs, causing US exports to collapse. It wasn't until 2020's Phase 1 trade deal that China resumed buying US LNG, signing long-term contracts that have since helped fund new US liquefaction projects.
Similar dynamics could play out with Europe if Trump's tariffs escalate. But unlike China, Europe may struggle to justify long-term LNG deals given its climate goals and reliance on diverse energy suppliers.
Read now: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/12/42603073/natural-gas-nears-2-year-highs-inflation-fears-mount-as-utility-costs-climb-3-energy-stocks-rise">Natural Gas Nears 2-Year Highs, Inflation Fears Mount As Utility Costs Climb</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Tariffs Or More Energy: Analyst Warns Of High Costs, Limited Capacity If Europe Bows To Trump's LNG Push

On Friday, December 20, U.S. markets closed in green, recovering from midweek losses as softer inflation data and dovish Federal Reserve comments eased concerns over interest rates. All major indexes advanced, led by real estate and small-cap stocks. However, markets ended the week lower, snapping a multi-week streak of gains amid lingering economic uncertainties.
In economic data, the U.S. PCE price index rose 0.1% in November, below expectations of 0.2%. Michigan consumer sentiment climbed to 74 in December, its highest since April, up from 71.8 in November.
All sectors of the S&amp;P 500 ended positively, led by notable gains in utilities, real estate, and information technology.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 1.18% and closed at 42,840.26, the S&amp;P 500 closed higher by 1.09% at 5,930.85, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.03% to finish at 19,572.60.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Monday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 gained 1.16% and ended the session at 39,172.50, led by gains in the Glass, Chemical, Petroleum &amp; Plastic and Real Estate sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 rose 1.67% and ended the day at 8,201.60, led by gains in the Financials, Consumer Discretionary, and A-REITs sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 rose 0.66% to 23,743.90, and Nifty 500 was up 0.37%, closing at 22,412.30, led by gains in the Real Estate, Banking, and Oil &amp; Gas sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite fell 0.50% to close at 3,351.26, and the Shenzhen CSI 300 gained 0.15%, finishing the day at 3,933.57.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng was up 0.82% and closed the session at 19,883.13.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 06:00 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 index was down 0.19%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX slid 0.21%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC fell 0.02%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded higher by 0.09%.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 06:00 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading lower by 0.30% at $69.25/bbl, and Brent was down 0.32% at $72.31/bbl.</li>
<li>Natural Gas rose 1.64% to $3.466.</li>
<li>Gold was trading lower by 0.41% at $2,633.99, Silver was up 0.62% to $30.135 and rose 0.50% to $4.1250.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 06:00 AM ET
Dow futures were down 0.05%, S&amp;P 500 futures were up 0.10%, and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.26%.
Forex at 06:00 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. dollar index gained 0.45% to 108.10, the USD/JPY rose 0.26% to 156.82, and the USD/AUD was up 0.11% to 1.5999.</li>
<li>The U.S. dollar hovered near a two-year high, boosted by modest inflation data and Federal Reserve projections signaling a measured pace of rate cuts.</li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock

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Dollar's Strength Continues, Asia Ex-China Up, Europe Edges Lower - Global Markets Today While US Slept

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U.S. Baker Hughes Oil Rig Count +1 At 483; U.S. Baker Hughes NatGas Rig Count -1 At 102

On Thursday, December 19, U.S. markets closed mixed after initial gains faded. Stocks mainly remained flat as the Fed forecasted fewer 2025 rate cuts and higher inflation. Jobless claims fell, and Q3 GDP was revised to 3.1%, supporting the Fed&#8217;s view. The Dow ended its 10-session losing streak.
The U.S. economy grew 3.1% in Q3, revised from 2.8% while existing home sales rose 4.8% in November to 4.15 million. Initial jobless claims fell by 22,000 to 220,000 in early December, below estimates of 230,000.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors ended lower, led by losses in materials, real estate, and energy. In contrast, utilities and financials outperformed, closing the session higher.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.04% and closed at 42,342.24, the S&amp;P 500 closed lower by 0.09% at 5,867.08, and the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.10% to finish at 19,372.77.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Friday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 declined 0.22% and ended the session at 38,723.50, led by losses in the Communication, Steel, and Transportation Equipment sectors shares.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 fell 1.24% and ended the day at 8,067.00, led by losses in the Consumer Discretionary, Financials and Gold sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 slid 1.35% to 23,627.45, and the Nifty 500 was down 1.82%, closing at 22,337.55. Losses in the Real Estate, Power, and Capital Goods sectors led to the declines.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite fell 0.06% to close at 3,368.07, and the Shenzhen CSI 300 declined 0.45%, finishing the day at 3,927.74.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng was down 0.16% and closed the session at 19,720.70.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 index was down 1.35%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX slid 1.42%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC fell 1.30%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded lower by 1.09%.</li>
<li>European shares headed for their worst week in three months as Trump&#8217;s tariff threats on the EU rattled investors already concerned about U.S. rates. The STOXX 600 fell 1.1%, with major indices and sectors declining sharply, including banks and miners.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading lower by 2.69% at $68.67/bbl, and Brent was down 0.99% at $72.16/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices declined this week due to concerns about slowing demand growth in the coming years, particularly from China. The market was further pressured by a stronger dollar and ongoing revisions to demand forecasts by OPEC and its allies.</li>
<li>Natural Gas rose 1.95% to $3.654.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.49% at $2,620.71, Silver was down 0.44% to $29.277 and rose 0.02% to $4.0780.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were down 0.58%, S&amp;P 500 futures fell 0.82% and Nasdaq 100 futures declined 1.18%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. dollar index was down 0.24% to 108.15, the USD/JPY fell 0.44% to 156.73, and the USD/AUD rose 0.12% to 1.6050.</li>
<li>The dollar neared a two-year high, set for its third weekly gain amid expectations of prolonged high U.S. rates. Global currencies weakened, with the yen and euro under pressure.</li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock

US Dollar Hits New Higher While Asia And Europe Markets Slide, Oil Drops On China Demand Fears - Global Markets Today While US Slept

U.S. natural gas prices jumped Thursday, with the Henry Hub benchmark – as broadly tracked by the U.S. Natural Gas Fund LLP (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNG#NYSE">UNG</a>) – climbing 6.5% to $3.59 per million British units, eyeing the highest <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities">close since January 2023. </a>
Since the start of the week prices are up 9.5%, cementing the likelihood of witnessing the eighth week of gains in the last nine. 
The recent rally came on the back of robust withdrawals from storage, robust domestic and global demand, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties in Europe.
Rising natural gas prices spell trouble for inflation and the economy, potentially leading to higher utility bills for U.S. consumers <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/12/42598354/wall-street-pins-hopes-on-fridays-crucial-fed-inflation-report-yet-a-miracle-is-needed-to-shift-the-narrative">in the near future. </a>
For investors, rising natural gas prices add to the concerns sparked by a more hawkish-than-expected Federal Reserve meeting this week, in which policymakers raised inflation forecasts for next year and signaled a slower <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/12/42563299/feds-powell-shocks-markets-its-a-new-phase-were-significantly-closer-to-neutral">pace of rate cuts.</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">EIA Data Confirms Third Consecutive Triple-Digit Storage Drop</h3>
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a 125 billion cubic feet withdrawal from natural gas storage for the week ending Dec. 13, in line with market expectations of a 126 Bcf decline. This marks the third straight week of triple-digit draws and the fifth consecutive week of inventory reductions.
The most significant declines in storage were recorded in colder regions of the Midwest, down by 48 Bcf , and East, down 34 Bcf.
As of Dec. 13, total U.S. natural gas stockpiles stood at 3,622 Bcf—0.6% higher than the same period last year and 3.8% above the five-year average.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Domestic Demand Soars, Breaking Records in 2024</h3>
The EIA's Natural Gas Annual report released Wednesday forecasted record-breaking domestic consumption in 2024, largely driven by a surge in power sector demand. 
The report revealed that AI data centers are an important source of increasing natural gas consumption.
<ul>
<li>Electric Power Sector: Natural gas use averaged 35.4 Bcf/d in 2023, a 6.7% increase (2.2 Bcf/d) from the previous year, making up 40% of total U.S. consumption.</li>
<li>Residential Sector: Consumption hit a five-year low, averaging 12.4 Bcf/d, an 8.9% drop from 2022.</li>
<li>Commercial Sector: Usage decreased by 4.8%, or 0.5 Bcf/d.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Geopolitical Risks Drive LNG Demand</h3>
Global liquefied natural gas markets are also influencing U.S. natural gas prices.
Uncertainty surrounding Europe&#8217;s access to Russian gas via Ukraine has prompted EU countries to seek alternative suppliers, boosting demand for U.S. LNG.
This trend is further fueled by President-elect Donald Trump&#8216;s promises to expand LNG export permits. U.S. firms are already favoring lucrative LNG exports over cheaper domestic sales, amplifying the focus on global markets despite abundant local supply.
"If weather remains mild this winter as in the past two winters, we expect a relatively stable global supply-demand balance with prices similar to the previous two winters," the EIA said in a recent report. 
The agency cautioned that colder-than-expected winters in Europe or Asia could tighten supply-demand balances, leading to price spikes.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Market Reaction: Natural Gas Stocks On The Move</h3>
Natural gas stocks outperformed within the broader energy sector on Thursday. 
Major gainers included Kinder Morgan Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KMI#NASDAQ">KMI</a>), up 2.8%, The Williams Company Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMB#NYSE">WMB</a>), up 1.6% and EQT Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EQT#NYSE">EQT</a>), up 0.9%: 
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42599089/us-stocks-edge-up-micron-suffers-worst-day-since-march-2020-bond-yields-surge-whats-driving-markets-thursday">US Stocks Edge Up, Micron Suffers Worst Day Since March 2020, Bond Yields Surge: What&#8217;s Driving Thursday&#8217;s Markets?</a></li>
</ul>
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Natural Gas Nears 2-Year Highs, Inflation Fears Mount As Utility Costs Climb

US Natural Gas Storage: -125B vs -123B Est.

On Wednesday, December 18th, U.S. markets closed sharply lower, with the Dow dropping over 1,100 points—its steepest decline since August and longest losing streak since 1974. The Fed cut rates by 25 basis points as expected but signaled fewer cuts in 2025. Markets reacted sharply to the less dovish tone despite assurances of economic strength and progress on inflation.
Fed Chair Powell adopted a hawkish tone as the Fed cut rates by 0.25% but reduced 2025 rate cut projections to two, down from four in September and below market expectations.
The U.S. current account deficit widened to $310.9 billion in Q3, exceeding the estimated $284 billion. Housing starts fell 1.8% in November to an annualized 1.289 million units from 1.312 million in October.
S&amp;P 500 ended in the red, with consumer discretionary, real estate, and communication services stocks suffering the largest declines.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 2.58% and closed at 42,326.87, the S&amp;P 500 closed lower by 2.95% at 5,872.16, and the Nasdaq Composite slipped 3.56% to finish at 19,392.69.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Thursday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 declined 0.80% and ended the session at 38,808.50, led by losses in the Communication, Steel, and Transportation Equipment sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 fell 1.70% and ended the day at 8,168.20, led by losses in the Gold, IT, and Materials sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 slid 0.98% to 23,961.95, and Nifty 500 was down 0.77%, closing at 22,757.65, led by losses in the Banking, Consumer Durables, and Capital Goods sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite fell 0.36% to close at 3,370.03, while the Shenzhen CSI 300 gained 0.09%, finishing the day at 3,945.46.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng was down 0.56% and closed the session at 19,752.51.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 index was down 1.60%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX slid 1.12%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC fell 1.49%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded lower by 1.27%.</li>
<li>European stocks fell as the Fed signaled slower rate cuts in 2025. Rate-sensitive tech stocks led losses, while bond yields spiked and commodities declined.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading lower by 0.71% at $70.08/bbl, and Brent was up 0.07% at $73.44/bbl.</li>
<li>Natural Gas rose 2/16% to $3.447.</li>
<li>Gold was trading lower by 0.78% at $2,632.79, Silver was down 2.23% to $30.027, and Copper fell 1.62% to $4.0903.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were up 0.40%, S&amp;P 500 futures rose 0.48% and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.47%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. dollar index was down 0.13% to 107.89, the USD/JPY rose 1.35% to 156.89, and the USD/AUD slid 0.42% to 1.6012.</li>
<li>The U.S. dollar surged to a two-year high after the Fed signaled fewer rate cuts in 2025, pressuring global currencies. However, it slipped Thursday amid thin holiday trading, with the euro and Canadian dollar, and won fluctuating sharply.</li>
</ul>
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Global Markets Slide On Fed's Hawkish Rate Policy; U.S. Dollar Eases Slightly After Hitting Two-Year High - Global Markets Today While US Slept

USA Gasoline Inventories 2.348M Barrel Build Vs 2.000M Barrel Build Est.; 5.086M Barrel Build Prior

EIA Weekly Distillates Stocks 3.180M Barrel Draw Vs 0.800M Barrel Build Est.; 3.235M Barrel Build Prior

On Tuesday, December 17, U.S. markets closed lower, with the Dow marking its longest losing streak since 1978. Bitcoin hit record highs, and Treasury yields steadied as investors awaited a &#8220;hawkish cut&#8221; from the Fed.
Strong U.S. retail sales highlighted economic resilience, contrasting with weaker Chinese data, while key central banks prepared for rate decisions amid inflation concerns.
In economic data, U.S. retail sales rose 0.7% in November, beating expectations of 0.5%, while industrial production fell 0.1%, improving from October&#8217;s 0.4% decline but missing forecasts of a 0.2% gain.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors closed lower, led by losses in industrials, energy, and financials. However, consumer discretionary stocks outperformed, ending the session in positive territory.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.61% and closed at 43,449.90, the S&amp;P 500 closed lower by 0.39% at 6,050.61, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.32% to finish at 20,109.06.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Wednesday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 declined 0.73% and ended the session at 39,120.50, led by losses in the Marine Transport, Insurance, and Railway &amp; Bus sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 fell 0.06% and ended the day at 8,309.40, led by losses in the Financials, Consumer Discretionary and Gold sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 slid 0.50% to 24,213.40, and Nifty 500 was down 0.66%, closing at 22,943.80.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite rose 0.62% to close at 3,382.21, and the Shenzhen CSI 300 gained 0.51%, finishing the day at 3,941.89.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng was up 0.83% and closed the session at 19,864.55.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 index was up 0.29%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX gained 0.24%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC rose 0.29%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded higher by 0.18%.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.10% at $70.15/bbl, and Brent was up 0.66% at $73.67/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices increased as investors stayed cautious of a potential Federal Reserve rate cut. A draw in U.S. crude inventories supported the market, while Fed policy decisions and geopolitical tensions added uncertainty.</li>
<li>Natural Gas rose 0.63% to $3.329.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.07% at $2,663.64, Silver was down 0.07% to $30.898, and Copper gained 0.14% to $4.1520.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were up 0.24%, S&amp;P 500 futures rose 0.28% and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.25%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
The U.S. Dollar Index was up 0.04% to 107.00, USD/JPY rose 0.10% at 153.62, and USD/AUD rose 0.44% to 1.5850.
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

China And Europe Markets Advance, Dollar Strengthens Ahead Of Fed Meeting - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Monday, December 16th, U.S. markets closed mixed, with the Nasdaq reaching a record high and the S&amp;P 500 rising as investors anticipated the Federal Reserve&#8217;s policy decision and a likely rate cut. Gains in the consumer sector offset weaker manufacturing data. Investor sentiment remained upbeat, driven by hopes for easing rates and economic resilience.
On the economic front, the NY Empire State Manufacturing Index dropped sharply to 0.20 in December from 31.2 the previous month, missing expectations. Meanwhile, the S&amp;P Global services PMI rose to 58.5 in December, while the manufacturing PMI fell to 48.3 from 49.7 in November.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors closed lower, led by materials, energy, and healthcare, while consumer discretionary and communication services outperformed, ending higher.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.25% and closed at 43,717.48, the S&amp;P 500 closed higher by 0.38% to 6,074.08, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.24% to finish at 20,173.89.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Tuesday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 declined 0.13% and ended the session at 39,410.00, led by losses in the Shipbuilding, Warehousing, and Precision Instruments sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 gained 0.78% and ended the day at 8,314.00, led by gains in the Industrials, IT, and A-REITs sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 slid 1.41% to 24,320.30, and Nifty 500 was down 1.19%, closing at 23,075.15.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite fell 0.73% to close at 3,361.49, while the Shenzhen CSI 300 gained 0.26%, finishing the day at 3,922.03.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng was down 0.48% and closed the session at 19,700.48.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 index was up 0.32%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX gained 0.18%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC rose 0.28%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded lower by 0.75%.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading lower by 1.44% at $69.69/bbl, and Brent was down 0.72% at $73.39/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices fell due to weak Chinese economic data and caution ahead of the Fed&#8217;s interest rate decision.</li>
<li>Natural Gas rose 0.65% to $3.235.</li>
<li>Gold was trading lower by 0.53% at $2,655.99, Silver was down 1.16% to $30.700, and Copper fell 1.14% to $4.1435.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were down 0.35%, S&amp;P 500 futures fell 0.25% and Nasdaq 100 futures slid 0.04%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. Dollar Index was up 0.17% to 107.03, USD/JPY was down 0.22% at 153.81, and USD/AUD rose 0.47% to 1.5770.</li>
<li>The U.S. dollar remained strong ahead of the Federal Reserve&#8217;s expected rate cut, supported by robust economic data and higher yields.</li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock

Asia Mostly Lower, Europe Markets Up As Dollar Strengthens Ahead Of Fed Rate Decision - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Friday, December 13th, U.S. markets closed mixed. The Nasdaq extended its upward streak while the S&amp;P 500 and Dow experienced declines.
Broadcom&#8217;s optimistic AI chip forecast drove a significant rise in shares, boosting tech sentiment as markets anticipate a Federal Reserve rate cut in the coming days.
In economic data, U.S. data showed import prices rose 0.1%, while the Producer Price Index increased 0.4%.
Among S&amp;P 500 sectors, Information Technology and Communication Services gained, driven by Broadcom&#8217;s surge. At the same time, Energy, Financials, Industrials, Consumer Staples, Real Estate, and Materials declined modestly, with Health Care and Utilities remaining flat.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.20% and closed at 43,828.06. The S&amp;P 500 closed almost flat, down by 0.003% to 6,051.09, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.12% to finish at 19,926.72.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Monday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 declined 0.07% and ended the session at 39,463.00, led by losses in the Shipbuilding, Warehousing, and Precision Instruments sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 slid 0.56% and ended the day at 8,249.50, led by losses in the Gold, Metals &amp; Mining and Materials sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 slid 0.48% to 24,649.10, and Nifty 500 was down 0.09% closing at 23,337.15, led by losses in the Metals, Technology and Fast Moving Consumer Goods sectors.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite fell 0.16% to close at 3,386.33, while the Shenzhen CSI 300 declined 0.54%, finishing the day at 3,911.84.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng was down 0.88% and closed the session at 19,795.49.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 06:00 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 index was down 0.44%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX declined 0.14%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC fell 0.81%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded lower by 0.37%.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 06:00 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading lower by 1.61% at $70.15/bbl, and Brent was down 0.87% at $73.86/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices eased as traders took profits ahead of a key Federal Reserve meeting, while supply concerns over U.S. sanctions on Russia and Iran limited losses.</li>
<li>Natural Gas fell 3.72% to $3.157.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.07% at $2,677.70, Silver was up 0.23% to $31.098, and Copper fell 0.53% to $4.1754.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 06:00 AM ET
Dow futures were up 0.08%, S&amp;P 500 futures were up 0.17%, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.30%.
Forex at 06:00 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. Dollar Index was up 0.02% to 107.03, USD/JPY was up 0.13% at 153.84, and USD/AUD rose 0.03% to 1.5745.</li>
<li>The dollar hovered near a three-week high as markets anticipated a measured Fed rate cut this week. Bitcoin soared to a record above $105,000, buoyed by Trump&#8217;s proposal for a U.S. bitcoin reserve.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia And Europe Markets Decline, Dollar Hovers 3-Week High - Global Markets Today While US Slept

U.S. Baker Hughes Oil, Natural Gas Rig Counts Unchanged

On Thursday, December 12th, U.S. markets closed lower as investors assessed economic data ahead of the Federal Reserve&#8217;s meeting. Mixed signals from rising producer prices and climbing unemployment claims fueled uncertainty about inflation and the Fed&#8217;s rate cut trajectory, prompting profit-taking after recent market highs.
In economic data, U.S. initial jobless claims climbed to 242,000 in early December, surpassing market expectations of 220,000, signaling potential labor market softening. Meanwhile, core producer prices increased by 0.2% month-over-month in November.
The majority of S&amp;P 500 sectors fell, led by losses in healthcare, consumer discretionary, and communication services, while consumer staples gained.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.53% and closed at 43,914.12, the S&amp;P 500 declined 0.54% to 6,051.25, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.66% to finish at 19,902.84.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Friday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 declined 1.02% and ended the session at 39,490.50, led by losses in the Shipbuilding, Paper &amp; Pulp, and Finance &amp; Investment sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 slid 0.41% and ended the day at 8,296.00, led by losses in the Gold, Metals &amp; Mining and Materials sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 rose 0.96% to 24,783.30, and the Nifty 500 was up 0.47%, closing at 23,365.45. Gains in the Technology, Consumer Durables, and Banking sectors led the index.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite fell 2.01% to close at 3,391.88, while the Shenzhen CSI 300 fell 2.37%, finishing the day at 3,933.18.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng was down 2.09% and closed the session at 19,971.24.</li>
<li>Asian markets dropped Friday as China&#8217;s lack of detailed stimulus measures disappointed investors.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 index was up 0.29%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX gained 0.31%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC rose 0.19%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded higher by 0.02%.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.91% at $70.64/bbl, and Brent was up 0.84% at $74.00/bbl.</li>
<li>Natural Gas gained 0.46% to $3.472.</li>
<li>Gold was trading lower by 0.75% at $2,689.01, Silver was down 0.96% to $31.317, and Copper fell 0.35% to $4.2300.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were up 0.23%, S&amp;P 500 futures were up 0.32%, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.65%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
The U.S. Dollar Index was up 0.02% to 106.98, USD/JPY was up 0.54% at 153.45, and USD/AUD slid 0.01% to 1.5703.
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia Ex-India Fall On China Stimulus Concerns, Europe Up; Dollar Gains - Global Markets Today While US Slept

USA Natural Gas Storage -190B Vs -175B Est.; -30B Prior

USA Gasoline Inventories 5.086M Barrel Build Vs 0.200M Barrel Draw Est.; 2.362M Barrel Build Prior

EIA Weekly Distillates Stocks 3.235M Barrel Build Vs 0.900M Barrel Build Est.; 3.383M Barrel Build Prior

On Tuesday, December 10th, U.S. markets closed lower, with losses in the technology sector outweighing gains in communications services. Investors remained cautious ahead of key inflation data, including the Consumer Price Index and Producer Price Index, which are expected to influence the Federal Reserve&#8217;s upcoming interest rate decision.
Economic data shows that labor productivity in the U.S. nonfarm business sector rose by 2.2% during the third quarter, consistent with the preliminary estimate.
Most S&amp;P 500 sectors fell, led by real estate, tech, and materials, while communication services and consumer staples gained.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.35% and closed at 44,247.83, the S&amp;P 500 declined 0.30% to 6,034.91, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.25% to finish at 19,687.24.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Wednesday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 gained 0.07% and ended the session at 39,394.50, led by gains in the Precision Instruments, Steel, and Electrical/Machinery sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 slid 0.47% and ended the day at 8,353.60, led by losses in the IT, Industrials and Energy sectors.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 rose 0.08% to 24,629.45, and the Nifty 500 was up 0.14%, closing at 23,346.40. Gains in the Consumer Durables, Auto, and IT sectors led shares higher, while losses in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods, Healthcare, and Power sectors led shares lower.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite gained 0.29% to close at 3,432.49, while the Shenzhen CSI 300 fell 0.17%, finishing the day at 3,988.83.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng was down 0.77% and closed the session at 20,155.05.</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 index was down 0.10%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX gained 0.04%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC rose 0.02%.</li>
<li>UK&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded higher by 0.01%.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 1.01% at $69.29/bbl, and Brent was up 0.90% at $72.84/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices rose on optimism over China&#8217;s monetary easing plans, though rising U.S. crude and fuel inventories tempered gains.</li>
<li>Natural Gas gained 2.56% to $3.244.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.18% at $2,723.11, Silver was down 0.59% to $32.550, and Copper fell 0.63% to $4.2455.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were down 0.15%, S&amp;P 500 futures were up 0.08%, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.18%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The U.S. dollar index gained 0.31% to 106.73, the USD/JPY rose 0.38% to 152.52, and the USD/AUD rose 0.45% to 1.5750.</li>
<li>The U.S. dollar strengthened, supported by expectations of resilient inflation ahead of the CPI report and concerns over China&#8217;s potential yuan weakening, which weighed on Asian and European currencies.</li>
</ul>
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Asia And Europe Markets Mixed; Crude Oil Up Amid China Stimulus Hope, Dollar Strengthens - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Monday, December 9th, U.S. markets closed lower, driven by a decline in tech stocks. Nvidia faced pressure from a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42404352/nvidia-china-antitrust-probe-may-remain-unsolved-in-near-term-says-top-analyst-investors-should-be-prepared-for-increased-scrutiny" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese antitrust investigation</a>, and AMD fell after a downgrade. Investors are closely watching upcoming inflation data, including the consumer price index and producer price index, which are expected to influence the Federal Reserve&#8217;s December meeting amid ongoing caution about policy adjustments.
According to economic data, U.S. wholesale inventories rose 0.2% in October to $905 billion, matching preliminary estimates and reversing the previous month&#8217;s decline.
S&amp;P 500 sectors fell, led by declines in financials, utilities, and communication services, while healthcare and real estate stocks closed higher.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.54% and closed at 44,401.93, the S&amp;P 500 declined 0.61% to 6,052.85, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.62% to finish at 19,736.69.
Asia Markets Today
<ul>
<li>On Tuesday, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225 gained 0.55% and ended the session at 39,368.50, led by gains in the Marine Transport, Steel, and Communication sectors.</li>
<li>Australia&#8217;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 slid 0.36% and ended the day at 8,393.00, led by losses in the IT, Financials, and A-REITs sectors.</li>
<li>The Reserve Bank of Australia held rates at 4.35%, citing progress toward its inflation target as growth cools. Inflation is expected to reach the target range by 2026, delaying potential policy easing.</li>
<li>India&#8217;s Nifty 50 rose 0.01% to 24,620.50, and Nifty 500 rose 0.13%, closing at 23,322.10.</li>
<li>China&#8217;s Shanghai Composite gained 0.59% to close at 3,422.66, and the Shenzhen CSI 300 rose 0.73%, finishing the day at 3,995.64.</li>
<li>Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng was down 0.50% and closed the session at 20,311.28</li>
</ul>
Eurozone at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>The European STOXX 50 index was down 0.45%.</li>
<li>Germany&#8217;s DAX declined 0.09%.</li>
<li>France&#8217;s CAC slipped 0.69%.</li>
<li>U.K.&#8217;s FTSE 100 index traded lower by 0.65%.</li>
<li>European shares ended an eight-day winning streak as miner losses followed weak China trade data. Focus now shifts to U.S. inflation data ahead of potential Fed rate cuts.</li>
</ul>
Commodities at 05:30 AM ET
<ul>
<li>Crude Oil WTI was trading lower by 0.57% at $67.98/bbl, and Brent was down 0.54% at $71.77/bbl.</li>
<li>Oil prices dipped as Middle East tensions eased following Syria&#8217;s power shift, despite potential demand support from China&#8217;s stimulus plans.</li>
<li>Natural Gas declined 1.13% to $3.136.</li>
<li>Gold was trading higher by 0.40% at $2,696.61, Silver was down 0.36% to $32.490, and Copper fell 0.54% to $4.2525.</li>
</ul>
U.S. Futures at 05:30 AM ET
Dow futures were down 0.02%, S&amp;P 500 futures slid 0.01%, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.05%.
Forex at 05:30 AM ET
The U.S. dollar index gained 0.16% to 106.31, the USD/JPY rose 0.25% to 151.56, and the USD/AUD rose 0.68% to 1.5632.
Photo by Pavel Bobrovskiy via Shutterstock

Europe Markets End Gain Streak, Crude Oil Falls, Gold Gains - Global Markets Today While US Slept

In this video, Ira Epstein reviews the activity in the Financial Markets after the day that just ended, Wednesday, December 18.

Financial Markets Report For Wednesday, Dec 18

U.S. natural gas inventory net change of -125Bcf for week ended Dec 13 - EIA

In this video, Ira Epstein reviews the activity in the Financial Markets after the day that just ended, Thursday, December 19.

Financial Markets Report For Thursday, Dec 19

The Mexican peso remained above 20.3 per US dollar, near the one-month low of 20.37 seen on December 18, after the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) cut rates to 10%.

Riksbank And Banxico Cut Interest Rates By 0.25%

2025 Perspectives: Optimism Through The Obstacles

Trump threatens EU with tariffs unless it buys more U.S. oil, gas

Oil prices had slipped after the US Fed forecast fewer rate cuts in 2025, dampening demand for the fuel. The output cuts of OPEC+ have created a floor for oil as prices continued to trade in a narrow range.

Crude Oil Missing Catalyst To Lift Prices; What's Next For The Market?

Goldman Sachs updated its economic projections to reflect nuanced changes in monetary policy expectations and global growth trends for 2025.

Goldman Sachs Has Updated Its Economic Projections For 2025

Mapping Out The 2025 Investment Landscape Across Asset Classes

In this video, Ira Epstein reviews the activity in the Financial Markets after the day that just ended, Monday, December 23.

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