Global Markets Mixed Ahead of Fed Rate Decision

Asia-Pacific markets closed mixed on Friday, with some indices rising and others falling. Japan's Nikkei 225 and Topix declined, while South Korea's Kospi and China's CSI 300 rose. The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong added 0.5%. The Reserve Bank of India cut its policy rate by 25 basis points to 5.25%, matching economists' forecasts. Overnight in the US, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite rose slightly ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision next week. Tech stocks were closely watched amid concerns of a bubble, with shares of Moore Threads surging over 400% on its Shanghai debut.

The article discusses Nvidia's growing cash reserves, Microsoft's Office price hikes, India's rate cut, and the IPO of 'China's Nvidia'. Nvidia's cash pile has grown to $60.6 billion, and the company has made significant investments in various companies. Microsoft is increasing Office subscription prices due to increased competition from Google. India's central bank cut interest rates, citing weak economic indicators. Moore Threads, a Chinese GPU manufacturer, saw its shares soar after its IPO. The article also touches on market movements and AI stocks.

The article discusses Nvidia's growing cash reserves, Microsoft's Office price hikes, Bitcoin's volatility, departures from Apple, and other market news. Nvidia's cash pile has grown to $60.6 billion, and the company has made significant investments in various companies. Microsoft is increasing Office subscription prices due to increased competition from Google. Bitcoin's price drop is considered normal volatility. Apple's general counsel and Vice President for environment, policy, and social initiatives are retiring. The article also touches on the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron, where they discussed trade and the Ukraine war.

The stock market is experiencing slight gains as traders await inflation data that could influence the Federal Reserve's upcoming interest rate decision. Stock futures were little changed on Thursday night, with futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 19 points, or 0.04%. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed slightly higher in the previous session, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the day just below the flatline. Investors are hoping that signs of a softening labor market will influence the Fed to lower rates by a quarter percentage point at its next meeting. Traders are pricing in an 87% chance of a cut next Wednesday. The market will be able to sort through a fresh slate of economic releases on Friday, including the personal consumption expenditures index, considered the Fed's primary inflation gauge.