Alexander Bueso

European shares were mostly in the red on Monday, as investors girded themselves ahead of a heavy schedule of economic reports and interest rate announcements.

US retail sales grew more quickly than anticipated in November, in large part due to a jump in outlays for motor vehicles and parts.

Industrial output in the US dropped unexpectedly last month, amid a downdraft in Mining and Utilities, whilst manufacturing staged a small bounce as the strike at Boeing ended.

Wednesday will bring with it the week's key risk event, the Federal Reserve's policy announcement.

The US central bank cut rates as expected but policymakers indicated that they were now anticipating fewer reductions in 2025.

European shares were a tad higher on Wednesday as investors awaited the outcome of the Federal Reserve policy meeting and assessed news of a potential tie-up between two of Japan’s best known auto makers Honda and Nissan.

The market spotlight on Thursday would be on the latest policy decisions out of the Bank of England and Bank of Japan (or perhaps the opposite).

Americans continued to spend at a steady clip last month, while prices rose by a tad less than anticipated.

Consumer confidence in the US rose modestly, although inflation expectations were mixed, the results of a closely followed survey revealed.

The coming week ought to be calm with a slightly positive bias to trading, as most market participants worldwide will be away from their desks during the Christmas holidays and New Year celebrations.