Fed Cut Rate Stocks Rotate Beyond Big Tech

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Main Content:

1.    Major indexes weekly performance 

2.    U.S stocks weekly wrap 

3.    S&P 500 sector index weekly/month performance 

4.    China/Hong Kong stocks weekly wrap 

5.    Singapore stocks weekly wrap 

6.    Major indexes weekly chart and technical support & resistance levels

U.S.

For the week of Dec 12, major U.S. equities finished mixed but largely resilient, as investors digested the Federal Reserve’s third consecutive 25bp rate cut alongside messaging that was perceived as less hawkish than feared. Market leadership broadened, with small- and mid-cap stocks outperforming, while mega-cap technology paused amid valuation concerns.

The Russell 2000(RUT) led gains, rising 1.19%, followed by the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI), which added 1.05%. In contrast, the Nasdaq Composite (COMP) declined 1.62%, weighed down by weakness in large-cap tech after disappointing earnings updates from select AI-related names. The S&P 500 (SPX) ended the week lower after a sharp pullback on Friday erased earlier gains. Refer to the table below for the major indexes' weekly performance.

Key highlights for the week and next:

1.    Fed delivers third straight rate cut, signals flexibility. The Federal Reserve lowered the fed funds target range by 25bps to 3.50%–3.75%, as expected. While the statement language hinted at a potential pause in January, Chair Powell emphasized heightened sensitivity to labor market risks and reiterated confidence that inflation will continue to cool. Notably, the Fed also announced plans to purchase short-term Treasury bills to support money market liquidity. 

2.    Policy outlook supportive, not overtly dovish. Despite dissent among three policymakers, the majority supported the cut due to slowing hiring trends. Updated projections show most FOMC members still expect lower rates ahead, with scope for one to two cuts that could bring rates toward the 3.0%–3.5% neutral range. 

3.    Labor market signals soften. Initial jobless claims jumped to 236k, the highest since September, raising concerns over near-term labor market momentum. While job openings edged higher to a five-month high, layoffs increased and the quits rate fell to its lowest level since 2020—suggesting workers are becoming more cautious. 

4.    Rates market reflects late-cycle easing. Treasury yields diverged, with short-term yields falling after the Fed decision while longer-dated yields edged higher. The 10-year Treasury yield remains rangebound near 4.0%–4.5%, reflecting lingering inflation concerns and fiscal uncertainty. Investment-grade credit outperformed, while high-yield bonds saw pockets of volatility. 

5.    Rotation away from mega-cap tech. Technology stocks lagged amid renewed concerns over AI-related capital spending and stretched valuations, following earnings disappointments from Oracle and Broadcom. This drove a rotation toward small- and mid-cap equities, which tend to benefit more directly from falling interest rates and easing financial conditions. 

SPX sectors in play

Seven of the 11 S&P 500 sectors gained for the week, with interest-rate-sensitive and value-oriented segments such as Financials(XLB) and Materials(XLB) outperformed, while Technology-related( XLK) stocks lagged, reflecting a pause after strong year-to-date gains. The shift highlights improving breadth beneath the surface of the rally and supports the case for diversification as monetary policy becomes less restrictive. Refer to below SPX sectors ETF weekly performance table.

Indexes technical levels

Despite near-term volatility, the broader uptrend across U.S. equities remains intact. The Dow(DJI) and small-cap indexes pushed toward new highs, while the S&P 500(SPX) and Nasdaq(COMP) experienced healthy consolidation after extended runs. With policy easing nearing its later stages, markets appear to be transitioning from a liquidity-driven rally to a more earnings- and breadth-driven phase. Click below three indexes for their weekly charts.

DJI weekly chart

SPX weekly chart

Nasdaq weekly chart

China/HK

Mainland China stock markets retreated as investors took profits after recent months’ gains. The Shanghai Composite Index(SSE) fell 0.34% and the blue-chip CSI 300 shed 0.08%. In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index slid 0.42%.

Key highlights for the week and outlook for China/HK:

1.    November inflation data underscored the weight of deflationary pressures on China’s economy. The consumer price index (CPI) rose to 0.7% in November year on year, staying above zero for the second straight month. But the producer price index fell 2.2%, marking the 38th straight month of declines. The core CPI, which excludes food and energy, was unchanged at 1.2%, Bloomberg reported, citing official data. 

2.    Unlike the U.S. and Europe, China has been grappling with deflation since the pandemic ended amid a prolonged housing slump that has in turn discouraged consumption. In response, the government launched a so-called anti-involution campaign aimed at curbing price wars and excessive output in industries ranging from food delivery to car manufacturing. But the latest inflation report suggested that Beijing’s efforts in beating deflation have had limited progress. 

Refer to below Hang Seng Index stocks’ weekly performance table.

Click below for SSE and .HSI weekly chart.

SSE weekly chart

.HSI weekly chart

 

Singapore

The Straits Times Index (STI) gained 1.22% this week to close at 4,586.45, breaking out decisively to a new record high after four weeks of consolidation. Market sentiment remained constructive, supported by expectations of a more accommodative global rate environment following the U.S. Federal Reserve’s third consecutive rate cut. Trading activity was typically subdued amid the school holidays and year-end festive period.

As 2025 draws to a close, the STI has delivered a strong year-to-date gain of 21.09%, reflecting improved risk appetite, firmer liquidity conditions, and renewed interest in Singapore equities. Financials and yield-sensitive sectors remained relatively resilient, benefiting from expectations that global interest rates are approaching a more neutral level, while gains across the broader market were selective.Refer to below STI index stocks’ weekly performance.

Click below for STI weekly chart.

STI weekly chart

Source: Some contents and data excerpted from various public market reports. Please comment to claim copyright ownership of any material, and I will remove it if necessary.

Stocks Climb Higher Expecting Rate Cuts

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Main Content:

1.    Major indexes weekly performance 

2.    U.S stocks weekly wrap 

3.    S&P 500 sector index weekly/month performance 

4.    China/Hong Kong stocks weekly wrap 

5.    Singapore stocks weekly wrap 

6.    Major indexes weekly chart and technical support & resistance levels

U.S.

For the week of Dec 6, major U.S. equities finished higher, extending the previous week’s momentum amid growing expectations of a Fed rate cut at the upcoming FOMC meeting. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite (COMP) led the advance with a 0.91% weekly gain, while the S&P 500 Index (SPX) also edged higher, adding 0.31%.

As we move into the final weeks of 2025, markets have delivered double-digit gains across all major U.S. indexes. Year-to-date, the SPX is up roughly 17%, while the COMP has climbed about 22%. Refer to the table below for the major indexes' weekly performance.

Key highlights for the week and next:

1.    Fed likely to cut interest rates at its December meeting, which will be held on December 9-10. It’s expected it aiming to bring rates to a neutral level (3.0%–3.5%) amid contained inflation and a softer near-term economic outlook. 

2.    The ISM Manufacturing PMI fell to 48.2% in November, down from 48.7% in October, signaling a continued slowdown in manufacturing activity. In contrast, the services sector showed modest improvement, with the Services PMI edging up 0.2 percentage points to 52.6%—its highest level in nine months. 

3.    Private payrolls saw their largest decline since 2023, with ADP reporting a 32k drop in November, reversing October’s revised 47k gain. ADP noted the slowdown was broad-based, led by weakness among small businesses. Meanwhile, initial jobless claims unexpectedly fell to 191k, the lowest since September 2022. 

4.    September inflation was little changed, with the PCE index rising 0.3% month-over-month, in line with August, and core PCE up 0.2%, also matching the prior month. Both measures were 2.8% higher year-over-year. Meanwhile, the University of Michigan’s preliminary December Consumer Sentiment Index rose 2.3 points to 53.3, supported by improved personal finance expectations. One-year ahead inflation expectations eased to 4.1%, the lowest since January 2025. 

5.    A Santa Claus rally has occurred 73% of the time since 1980, with the last five trading days of the year plus the first two trading days of January delivering an average S&P 500 gain of 1.1%. More broadly, the market has enjoyed a strong run since April, with the S&P 500(SPX) up about 38% and only one 5% pullback in November. 

SPX sectors in play

Six of the 11 S&P 500 sectors gained for the week, with growth stocks leading the way. Technology related stocks drove the rally, supported by Technology(XLK), Consumer Discretionary (XLY) and Communication Services (XLC), while Utilities (XLU) lagged, reflecting a risk-on market sentiment. Refer to below SPX sectors ETF weekly performance table.

Indexes technical levels

The S&P 500 (SPX) notched its second consecutive weekly gain, closing at a new high. The Nasdaq Composite (COMP) and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) also logged their second straight weekly advances, with uptrends remaining firmly intact across all three major indexes. Click below three indexes for their weekly charts.

DJI weekly chart

SPX weekly chart

Nasdaq weekly chart

China/HK

Mainland China stock markets advanced as enthusiasm for domestic technology and artificial intelligence trades eclipsed data pointing to an economic slowdown. The Shanghai Composite Index(SSE) added 0.37% and the blue-chip CSI 300 rose 1.28%. In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index gained 0.87%.

Key highlights for the week and outlook for China/HK:

1.    China’s manufacturing PMI contracted for the eighth straight month, though it inched up to 49.2 in November, while services activity softened as earlier holiday-driven support faded. 

2.    The latest PMI data reinforced signs of slowing momentum in China’s Q4 recovery. The prolonged property downturn—stemming from the 2020 “three red lines” policy tightening—remains a central risk, weighing on consumption and adding deflationary pressure. Even so, most analysts still expect China to achieve its ~5% annual growth target without additional policy stimulus this year. 

3.   High-tech production remained resilient, but persistent weakness tied to the property sector, alongside soft demand and continued U.S. trade pressures, underscores an uneven recovery across China’s economy. 

Refer to below Hang Seng Index stocks’ weekly performance table.

Click below for SSE and .HSI weekly chart.

SSE weekly chart

.HSI weekly chart

 

Singapore

The Straits Times Index (STI) edged up 0.16% this week to close at 4,531.36, continuing to consolidate within its four-week trading range near record levels. As 2025 draws to a close, the STI has delivered a strong ~20% year-to-date gain. As highlighted last week, JPMorgan recently raised its 12-month STI target to 6,000 from 5,000, citing improving market liquidity, a pickup in IPO activity, and ongoing wealth management growth. Refer to below STI index stocks’ weekly performance.

Click below for STI weekly chart.

STI weekly chart

Source: Some contents and data excerpted from various public market reports. Please comment to claim copyright ownership of any material, and I will remove it if necessary.

Bullish December Ahead: Fed Easing Signals Meet Market Seasonality

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Main Content:

1.    Major indexes weekly performance 

2.    U.S stocks weekly wrap 

3.    S&P 500 sector index weekly/month performance 

4.    China/Hong Kong stocks weekly wrap 

5.    Singapore stocks weekly wrap 

6.    Major indexes weekly chart and technical support & resistance levels

U.S.

For the week of Nov 28, U.S. equities finished the holiday-shortened week higher, supported by growing expectations of a December rate cut. A series of softer-than-expected economic data reinforced the Federal Reserve’s dovish tone, keeping market sentiment upbeat ahead of the upcoming FOMC meeting. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite(COMP) posted strong returns, rebounding from the prior week’s sell-off as concerns regarding elevated valuations and spending on artificial intelligence (AI) appeared to take a back seat to optimism around the growth potential from the technology. Refer to below major indexes weekly performance.

After a brief wobble in early November, stocks regained momentum, with the S&P 500 (SPX) ending the month slightly higher. Seasonality also supports a constructive outlook: historically, the post-Thanksgiving period tends to deliver solid returns. Over the past 30 years, December has averaged a gain of around 1%, with markets rising roughly 70% of the time. Refer to below major indexes performance for the month of November.

Key highlights for the week and next:

1.    The probability of a Fed rate cut in December rose to 86.9% by the end of Friday, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. FOMC meeting is scheduled on 9-10 December. 

2.    Delayed data released during the week including retail sales increased by 0.2% in September, down from 0.6% in August and below consensus for around 0.4% increase; September PPI rose 0.3% in line with consensus estimates. 

3.    Labor Market Mixed: Initial jobless claims fell to a seven-month low (216k), signalling ongoing resilience, but continuing claims rose to 1.96 million, near this year’s high—pointing to softening in longer-term employment conditions. Consumer confidence also slid sharply to 88.7, the weakest since April. 

4.    Fed’s Beige Book Signals Cooling Activity: The Fed’s latest Beige Book showed largely flat economic activity, slight declines in employment, and moderate price increases—much of it driven by tariff-related cost pressures. Consumer spending softened further, though high-end retail remained resilient. 

5.    Economic data in focus in coming week: ISM manufacturing PMI will be released on Monday Dec 1, September PCE( key Fed inflation indicators) rescheduled to Dec 5. 

SPX sectors in play

All the eleven S&P sectors posted gains for the week. Tech dominated Consumer Discretionary(XLY) and Tech(XLK) were top performers, Energy(XLE) lagged. Refer to below SPX sectors ETF weekly performance table.

Indexes technical levels

The S&P 500 (SPX) has recouped most of its early November losses over the past five trading sessions, marking five consecutive days of gains. During this period, the SPX rose from 6,538.76 to 6,849.09, representing a 4.7% gain, and closed the week with a strong 3.73% weekly advance. The Nasdaq Composite (COMP) and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) also posted robust weekly gains of 4.91% and 3.18%, respectively(refer to the above weekly performance table). Click below three indexes for their weekly charts.

DJI weekly chart

SPX weekly chart

Nasdaq weekly chart

China/HK

Mainland China stock markets advanced as investors enthusiasm for domestic technology and AI trades outweighed growth slowdown concerns. The Shanghai Composite Index(SSE) added 1.4% and the blue-chip CSI 300 rose 1.64%. In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index gained 2.53%.

Key highlights for the week and outlook for China/HK:

1.    Profits in China’s industrial sector unexpectedly fell 5.5% in October year on year, the country’s statistics office reported. The drop in industrial profits came after increases of more than 20% in each of the prior two months, adding to evidence that China’s economy lost momentum in the fourth quarter. It followed data earlier this month showing that China’s producer price index remained in negative territory in November for the 37th month, even after Beijing launched its so-called anti-involution campaign aimed at curbing price wars and excessive output in industries from food delivery to car manufacturing. Nevertheless, most analysts believe that China will meet its official growth goal of about 5% this year. 

2.    Economic data in focus in coming week: China will release its Nov PMI. 

Refer to below Hang Seng Index stocks’ weekly performance table.

Click below for SSE and .HSI weekly chart.

SSE weekly chart

.HSI weekly chart

 

Singapore

The Straits Times Index (STI) added 1.23% to close at 4,523.96 this week, recovering most of last week’s losses. JP Morgan upgraded DBS to a $70 target, OCBC to ‘overweight’, SGX to ‘overweight’ with $18.50 target, and UOB to ‘neutral’, citing Singapore’s evolving role as a financial centre and supportive policy initiatives. The analysts also raised their STI 12-month target to 6,000 points from 5,000, driven by improved market liquidity, IPO activity, and wealth management growth, while UOB faces lingering credit risks.

Refer to below STI index stocks’ weekly performance.

Click below for STI weekly chart.

STI weekly chart

Source: Some contents and data excerpted from various public market reports. Please comment to claim copyright ownership of any material, and I will remove it if necessary.

Markets Retreat as AI Concerns Weigh

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Main Content:

1.    Major indexes weekly performance 

2.    U.S stocks weekly wrap 

3.    S&P 500 sector index weekly/month performance 

4.    China/Hong Kong stocks weekly wrap 

5.    Singapore stocks weekly wrap 

6.    Major indexes weekly chart and technical support & resistance levels

U.S.

For the week of Nov 21, major U.S. stock indexes ended lower despite upbeat corporate earnings and encouraging government economic data. Global markets likewise faced renewed volatility, with equities closing the week in choppy trading and extending the worst downturn since the tariff-driven sell-offs in April.

The weakness partly reflected concerns in the technology sector, as a strong earnings report from NVIDIA failed to stem the correction across tech stocks, with investors taking profits amid ongoing “bubble” chatter. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (COMP) recorded the largest losses, while the large-cap S&P 500 Index (SPX) finished about 4.4% below the record high reached in late October. A sharp rebound during volatile trading on Friday helped trim the deeper losses seen earlier in the week. Refer to below major indexes weekly performance.

Key highlights for the week and next:

1.    On Thursday, SPX had a 3.49% swing from day high to close, and Nasdaq swung a stunning 500bps from high to low ending not far off the lows. Since 1957 there have been 8 instances where the S&P 500(SPX) gaps up more than 1% only to reverse and close in the red. On the bright side here is SPX’s average performance after these 8 instances: 1 day later +233bps, 1 week later +288bps, 1 month later +472bps. 

2.    Fed’s next move on interest rates. Ambiguity around the Fed’s policy path remains unhelpful, with the central bank struggling to obtain a clear read on the economy due to shutdown-related data disruptions. According to CME Group futures data, as of Friday there was nearly a 70% probability of a rate cut at the next meeting, up from 44% a week earlier. 

3.    NVIDIA beats expectations, but investors remain cautious. NVIDIA, the largest company in the S&P 500 by market cap, reported record revenue and issued a stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter forecast driven by robust AI chip demand, yet investors remained wary. 

4.    Delayed jobs report paints a mixed picture. The long-delayed September jobs report showed stronger-than-expected job gains of 119k, but the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%, the highest in four years. The BLS said the next report, covering November, will be released on December 16, while the October report has been cancelled.

 

SPX sectors in play

Only three of the eleven S&P sectors posted gains for the week. Defensive areas outperformed, led by Health Care (XLV), which advanced 1.83%, and Consumer Staples (XLP), up 0.83%, while Communication Services (XLC) eked out a modest 0.51% gain.

Most other sectors finished lower, with weakness concentrated in rate-sensitive and growth-oriented segments. Technology (XLK) was the biggest laggard, falling 5.19%, reflecting profit-taking and valuation concerns. Energy (XLE) declined 2.83% amid softer crude prices, while Consumer Discretionary (XLY) slipped 2.33%, weighed down by mixed spending signals. Broader benchmarks tracked this risk-off tone, with the SPY down 1.92% on the week. Refer to below SPX sectors ETF weekly performance table.

Indexes technical levels

All three major indexes posted weekly losses ranging from 1.91% to 2.74%, marking a concerning technical shift as each closed below their respective 50-day moving averages—a warning sign for potential weakness ahead. Click below three indexes for their weekly charts.

DJI weekly chart

SPX weekly chart

Nasdaq weekly chart

China/HK

Mainland China stock markets recorded a weekly loss, mirroring the drop on Wall Street, as investor concerns about frothy valuations in AI-focused names dampened risk appetite. The Shanghai Composite Index(SSE) sank 3.90% and the blue-chip CSI 300 fell 3.77%. Friday marked the second week of declines for the CSI 300 Index, which rose to its highest level in almost four years earlier in November amid optimism about China’s technology development. In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index dropped 5.09%.

Key highlights for the week and outlook for China/HK:

1.    China's government is considering new measures to revive its ailing property market amid concerns that further weakness could destabilize the financial system, Bloomberg reported. Measures under consideration include providing mortgage subsidies nationwide for first-time buyers, raising income tax rebates for mortgage borrowers, and cutting home transaction costs. 

2.   The proposed measures come as China's housing market slump deepened in its fourth year. New home prices in 70 cities (excluding state-subsidized housing) fell in October at the fastest pace in a year, while existing home values recorded the biggest drop in 13 months. The property downturn has become a major growth headwind and worsened the deflation that has stalked the economy since early 2023. Last month, Fitch Ratings projected further weakness in China's property sector in 2026 and warned the crisis could lead to further deterioration in asset quality for China's banks. 

Refer to below Hang Seng Index stocks’ weekly performance table.

Click below for SSE and .HSI weekly chart.

SSE weekly chart

.HSI weekly chart

 

Singapore

The Straits Times Index (STI) fell 1.69% to close at 4469.14 this week, snapping a multi-week winning streak as selling pressure broadened across the market. All but three index components posted losses for the week, with weakness concentrated in property, logistics, and industrial sectors. Refer to below STI index stocks’ weekly performance.

Click below for STI weekly chart.

STI weekly chart

Source: Some contents and data excerpted from various public market reports. Please comment to claim copyright ownership of any material, and I will remove it if necessary.