From NASDAQ:

European stocks may open lower due to Middle East concerns, with energy stocks benefiting from rising oil prices. Deadly explosions in Iran and the shutdown of a major Libyan oilfield have led to a 3% gain in oil. Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea and North Arabian Sea pose a threat to global supply chains. The dollar is supported by an uptick in U.S. Treasury yields. Hawkish Fed minutes release has investors reconsidering the extent of rate cuts this year. The Fed’s next monetary policy meeting is scheduled for January 25-26, with no changes expected in rates.

Asian markets declined due to downgrades of Chinese national asset management companies by Fitch. A measure of Chinese services sector activity rose in December. U.S. stocks fell, with Fed officials projecting three rate cuts by the end of 2024. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 1.2%. European stocks fell on Wednesday amid uncertainty about potential interest-rate cuts.

The Germany DAX lost 1.4%, France’s CAC 40 shed 1.6%, and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 dropped half a percent.



Read more: European Shares Seen Lower After Fed Minutes Release