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Stocks fall ahead of Fed announcement, yields and dollar are up slightly

The?dollar, U.S. Treasury yields and most major stock indices fell on Tuesday as the Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates. However, policymakers may also make hawkish remarks.

Treasury yields and dollar rose after the release of U.S. Labor Market Data, which showed that U.S. Job Openings grew modestly in October but hiring remained low.

Investors expect the Fed to announce a rate reduction on Wednesday, but policymakers are expected to remain divided.

Some policymakers are concerned that the price pressures may easily return, while others are more concerned with the health of labor markets.

It's quiet before the storm. Adam Sarhan, CEO of 50 Park Investments, New York, explained that tomorrow's Fed meeting is a major catalyst. It's normal for the market to be in a mild state right now. The Reserve Bank of Australia had earlier held rates at the same level as was expected on Tuesday. It also warned against further policy easing, and that rates may rise if inflation pressures remain stubborn. The Australian dollar rose 0.3% to US$0.6641.

Both the Bank of Canada (BoC) and Swiss National Bank (SNB) are expected to keep rates unchanged when they meet respectively on Wednesday and Thursday.

Investors digested the news that Washington would allow Nvidia to export its H200 processors - its second best artificial intelligence chip - to China and collect a 25% fee for such sales. ?Nvidia shares were down by 0.3%.

JPMorgan Chase shares fell by 4.7%. JPMorgan Chase Consumer and Community Banking Chief Marianne Lake said that the bank expects costs to rise.

About $105 billion by 2026.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 179.03, or 0.38% to 47,560.29. The S&P 500 fell 6.00 points, 0.09% to 6,840.51, and the Nasdaq Composite grew 30.58, or 0.13% to 23,576.41.

The MSCI index of global stocks fell by 1.60 points or 0.16% to 1,006.44.

The pan-European STOXX 600 Index slipped 0.1%.

A OUTLOOK AT RATES

The dollar index, which measures greenbacks against a basket including the yen, euro and yen, increased 0.15% to reach 99.22.

Investors also consider the outlook for interest rates in 2026. This is not only with the Fed, but also outside the United States. "A hawkish repricing has been rolling across curves in other countries - rate increases are being priced in for Australia and Canada in 2026, so the dollar may be under pressure if Jerome Powell, the Fed Chair, fails to out-hawk the markets," Karl Schamotta said, Chief Market Strategist at Corpay, in Toronto. The yield on the U.S. benchmark 10-year Treasury note increased 1.4 basis points, to 4.186%. It had previously hit a low of 4.141%. This was the first time in five weeks that the Treasury market has seen a four-session winning streak.

Investors focused their attention on the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Brent crude futures fell 55 cents or 0.88% to settle at $61.94 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate Crude fell 63 cents or 1.07% to $58.25.

The yen also weakened on the foreign exchange markets. The yen weakened instantly after a powerful earthquake rocked Japan Monday.

(source: Reuters)