Federal Reserve Stress Test Leads to Lawsuit Plans, Banks' Concerns Over Capital Requirements Unresolved
According to CNBC, major US banks plan to file a lawsuit against the Federal Reserve's annual bank stress test, anticipated to take place this week. The Federal Reserve's stress tests aim to ensure banks maintain sufficient capital buffers for potential bad loans while limiting stock buybacks and dividends. Although the Federal Reserve recently said it plans to increase test transparency and reduce the volatility of capital buffer requirements, the banking industry believes these changes are insufficient to allay concerns about heavy capital requirements.
Trump Team Criticizes Biden's Commutations as 'Abhorrent'
Trump's team fiercely attacked President Biden's decision to commute the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates, calling the move 'abhorrent' and harmful to victims and their families. Biden announced that these death row inmates' sentences would be changed to life imprisonment without parole, in line with his administration's policy of pausing federal executions. However, Biden stated that mass murder cases, such as terrorism and hate crimes, are exceptions. This action would leave only three federal inmates awaiting execution by the time Trump is set to take office in January next year.
US Stocks Rise Across the Board Before Christmas, Apple's Market Value Exceeds $3.9 Trillion
On Tuesday, December 24, all three major US stock indices rose, with the Nasdaq performing exceptionally well, up 1.35% to close at 20,031.13 points. The S&P 500 index increased by 1.10% to 6,040.04 points, and the Dow Jones rose 0.91% to 43,297.03 points. Tech stocks showed strong performance, with Apple shares up 1.15%, reaching a historic high, with a total market value surpassing $3.9 trillion for the first time.
International Oil Prices and Precious Metals Edge Upward
International oil prices slightly increased on the 24th, with WTI crude futures up 1.24%, closing at $70.10 per barrel; Brent crude futures rose 1.31%, closing at $73.58 per barrel. API data showed that US crude inventories decreased by 3.2 million barrels last week, continuing the previous downtrend. The precious metals market also saw a slight rise, with COMEX gold futures up 0.2%, closing at $2,633.5 per ounce; COMEX silver futures increased by 0.14%, closing at $30.23 per ounce.
Market Trading Light During Christmas Holidays
Due to Christmas, the New York Stock Exchange closed early on the 24th and will be closed all day on the 25th. Investors remain cautiously focused on the market performance in 2024, with the Federal Reserve's interest rate policies, economic measures after Trump's inauguration, and changes in the international energy market being key areas of focus.