2025 Market Opening Noteworthy Developments

What You Need to Know Before the Market Opens

As we approach 2025, a volatile period is being experienced in the markets. When examining the U.S. stock markets, it's important to note that the S&P 500 index has reached record levels at 6,930 points but has seen limited losses due to profit-taking. The Dow Jones and Nasdaq recorded declines of around 0.4-0.5%. For the year, however, the Dow Jones has a return of 14%, while the Nasdaq has increased by over 20%.

Investor's Favorite: Fed Meeting Minutes

The minutes from the Fed's December meeting are the main agenda of the markets. The Fed, which has cut interest rates by a total of 75 basis points in the last three meetings, has lowered the policy rate to a range of 3.50-3.75%. However, ongoing disagreements during this period are noteworthy. President Donald Trump has threatened to sue Jerome Powell for "gross negligence," adding a factor of uncertainty to the markets.

Company News and Developments in Commodity Markets

The $5 billion stock sale agreement that Intel made with Nvidia has attracted attention, while Boeing's high-value defense contract obtained from Israel has also piqued investor interest. In the commodity market, profit realizations have led to sharp declines in silver and platinum prices following record levels in precious metals. However, long-term assessments suggest that geopolitical risks, central bank purchases, and a weakening dollar indicate that the main trend for precious metals remains intact.

Global Market Insights

Oil prices are experiencing fluctuations due to the Russia-Ukraine tension and risks in the Middle East. How geopolitical strategies evolve continues to impact the direction of the markets.

On the Borsa Istanbul front, a cautious outlook prevails. The BIST 100 index retreated to 11,150, closing the day with a loss of over 1%. Banking stocks remained more resilient during the day, while industrial stocks faced significant selling pressure.

Lastly, on the currency side, upward movements in the dollar continue. The dollar/TL is attempting to settle above the 42.90 level. Despite rising costs, the separation of TL from weaker currencies is considered a notable development in the markets.