America News Agency

Futures tied to the pan-European Stoxx 50 index last traded near the flat line, while those linked to the FTSE 100, DAX and CAC 40 also showed little change.

The Fed is expected to lower its main interest rate at its final meeting of the year. According to analysts, money markets are currently pricing in an 87% probability of a quarter-point cut when the central bank completes its two-day meeting on December 10.

This move will set the stage for central banks across Europe. The Swiss National Bank will release its own policy update on Thursday. The Bank of England and the European Central Bank will announce their rate decisions on December 18, along with the central banks of Norway and Sweden.

In corporate news, the European Union announced on Tuesday that it had reached an agreement to “simplify” corporate sustainability laws. Under the updated system, most companies in the EU will be exempt from sustainability reporting requirements.

Danish Minister for European Affairs Marie Bjerre stated, “Today we delivered on our promise to increase the EU’s competitiveness by removing burdens and rules. This is an important step toward creating a more favorable business environment to help our companies grow and innovate.”

Investors are also evaluating comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said Monday that the U.S. would allow shipments of Nvidia’s H200 AI chips to “approved customers” in China, but only on the condition that the U.S. government receives 25% of the revenue.

On Monday, Magnum Ice Cream began trading on the Amsterdam stock exchange, completing its separation from consumer goods giant Unilever. Shares rose slightly during the session. On Tuesday, Germany’s export data, the Netherlands’ inflation figures, and the United Kingdom’s retail sales numbers will be released.

In Asia, stocks generally declined overnight, while U.S. stock futures last traded near the flat line.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 rose 0.16% during a volatile session, while the broader Topix traded flat. Gains in technology stocks limited losses in the Nikkei; Disco Corp and Konica Minolta rose 5.42% and 4.91%, respectively.

South Korea’s Kospi Index fell 0.31%, while the small-cap Kosdaq Index gained 0.2%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index declined 0.32% after the country’s central bank kept its policy rate unchanged at 3.6%, as expected.

The Reserve Bank of Australia said after its decision, “The latest data show that inflation risks are skewed to the upside, but more time is needed to assess the persistence of inflationary pressures.” Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.84%, while mainland China’s CSI 300 Index dropped 0.14%.

U.S. stock futures rose slightly Monday night following news that President Donald Trump had approved the sale of Nvidia’s H200 chips to China under a deal that provides the U.S. government with a significant portion of the revenue.