The year 2025 starts with **U.S. stocks wobbling** and the **dollar** remaining dominant as investors assess **Fed rate cuts** prospects.
New unemployment claims dropped to an **eight-month low**, suggesting a strong labor market that diminishes the likelihood of rate cuts in the near future.
As the Fed's January meeting approaches, **the chances of a rate cut are only around 11%**, reinforcing expectations of higher rates for an extended period.
Despite a slight dip on Friday, the **dollar index** remains near a two-year high, affecting both the **euro** and the **pound**, which both hit multi-month lows.
Wall Street faces challenges with the **S&P 500** and **Nasdaq** extending their losing streaks, marking five consecutive trading days of declines.
For more details, visit the original article at Reuters.