Indian Market Performance On December 12, 2024, the Indian equity markets displayed mixed sentiment. The Nifty 50 index saw moderate gains as key IT and energy stocks rebounded following recent corrections, while banking and realty sectors faced mild selling pressure. The Sensex mirrored this trend, indicating cautious optimism among investors amid global uncertainties. Market participants remain focused on domestic inflation data and global cues, particularly the Federal Reserve's upcoming monetary policy decisions. The bond market showed resilience, with yields steady, reflecting investor confidence in a stable monetary policy environment. Meanwhile, the Indian rupee remained range-bound against the US dollar, supported by sustained foreign capital inflows​ CERITY PARTNERS ​ KPMG Global Market Highlights US Markets: Wall Street ended the day higher, with the Dow Jones and S&P 500 rallying on optimism surrounding potential interest rate cuts at the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting. Tech stocks outperformed as investors anticipated policy easing and improved earnings for the sector. However, caution prevails due to ongoing geopolitical tensions​ CERITY PARTNERS European Markets: European indices showed a modest uptick, buoyed by energy and materials stocks. The Eurozone’s inflation figures, which hinted at cooling price pressures, contributed to expectations of further rate cuts by the European Central Bank in early 2025​ KPMG Asian Markets: Asian markets saw mixed trading. While Chinese markets gained on hopes of economic stimulus measures, Japanese equities struggled due to a stronger yen impacting export-driven sectors. Broader Asian indices remained volatile amid uncertainties surrounding US-China trade relations​ GLOBAL ISSUES Commodities and Currencies: Oil prices held steady, supported by OPEC's decision to maintain production cuts. Gold prices edged higher as safe-haven demand remained robust due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The US dollar strengthened against major currencies, reflecting the resilience of the US economy compared to its global peers​ KPMG Key Takeaways for Investors : India: Opportunities lie in IT, energy, and select mid-cap stocks. Investors should remain cautious about interest rate-sensitive sectors like realty. Global: Tech and energy stocks are showing promise globally, while safe-haven assets like gold remain attractive amidst geopolitical uncertainties. Investors should adopt a balanced approach, focusing on diversification to navigate the volatile market environment effectively.