- US equity futures predicted a stronger start on Wall Street due to optimism that central banks would succeed in their fight against inflation and the promise of Chinese leaders to accelerate economic growth in 2019.
- Futures on the energy- and technology-heavy Nasdaq 100 and the S&P 500 ticked higher. While the underlying indexes are still expected to end the month lower, some investors may bet instead that inflation is peaking, giving the federal reserve and other central banks some leeway in tightening policy, as opposed to fearing an economic recession brought on by higher interest rates.
- In contrast to recent years, China's top leaders have promised to revive consumption and support the private sector in order to strengthen the economy next year. Beijing's pledge raised energy and metals prices, with those sectors leading gains on Europe's Stoxx 600 index, while news of a COVID surge across China curtailed gains on Asian markets.
