Finance
Morning Bid: Markets in Grinch-Y Mood Before Data Deluge
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on December 16, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
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Markets are cautious ahead of global economic data and central bank meetings, with UK wage data and Fed policy in focus. Volatility is expected.
Markets Brace for Volatility Before Economic Data Deluge
A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Ankur Banerjee
Investors have hunkered down, unwilling to take on risky bets, ahead of a clutch of economic data from across the globe and central bank meetings in what is shaping up to be an eventful last full week of the year.
The focus of the European session will be trained on UK wage data that comes days ahead of a knife-edge vote on interest rates on Thursday, where Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey is expected to shift his stance and tip the balance for a cut.
Manufacturing data for December across Europe, also on the agenda, will provide more insight into the economic picture heading into next year.
After the Federal Reserve cut interest rates last week as expected, market focus has swiftly moved on to its monetary policy path in 2026. While the Fed projects a single rate cut, traders are pricing in at least two rounds of easing.
That divergence will probably be settled by incoming U.S. economic data, including the much-awaited, always important jobs report. In fact, there will be a combined October and November report, long delayed due to a 43-day government shutdown.
The absence of key metrics, such as the unemployment rate, could make interpreting the data more tricky as the shutdown prevented the collection of data from households.
With so much volatility expected later this week, it's no wonder that markets have been completely risk-off during Asian hours, with tech stocks taking a beating.
Tech-heavy South Korea and Taiwan stocks fell more than 1% and European equity futures pointed to a lower open. Bitcoin, often the risk barometer, is hovering near two-week lows and remains under pressure.
The yen caught a whiff of a safe-haven bid and firmed to 154.80 per dollar ahead of the Bank of Japan's policy meeting on Friday. Markets broadly expect a rate hike, and further down the road, the spotlight is on the timing of subsequent increases.
Key developments that could influence markets on Tuesday:
Economic events: UK wage data for October, December flash PMI data for France, Germany, UK and euro zone; December economic sentiment for Germany
(Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
Key Takeaways
- •Investors are cautious ahead of major economic data releases.
- •UK wage data is crucial before the Bank of England's rate decision.
- •The Federal Reserve's future policy path is under scrutiny.
- •Asian markets show risk-off sentiment amid volatility.
- •Bitcoin and tech stocks are under pressure as safe-haven assets rise.
Frequently Asked Questions about Morning Bid: Markets in Grinch-y mood before data deluge
1What is monetary policy?
Monetary policy refers to the actions taken by a country's central bank to control the money supply and interest rates to achieve macroeconomic objectives such as controlling inflation, consumption, growth, and liquidity.
2What are interest rates?
Interest rates are the amount charged by lenders to borrowers for the use of money, typically expressed as a percentage of the principal. They can influence economic activity by affecting borrowing costs.
3What is the Federal Reserve?
The Federal Reserve, often referred to as the Fed, is the central bank of the United States, responsible for implementing monetary policy, regulating banks, maintaining financial stability, and providing financial services.
