"Stocks Retreat and Apple Stumbles as Rate-Cut Hopes Fade, Fed Report Looms"

U.S. stocks declined and bond yields increased as expectations for rapid interest rate cuts diminished following new jobs data and ahead of the Federal Reserve meeting minutes. The Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all saw drops, with tech stocks being notably affected. Job openings in November fell to the lowest since March 2021, signaling a cooling labor market. Real estate and tech sectors were among the hardest hit, while oil prices surged due to supply concerns. Investors are now less confident in a March rate cut, with the CME FedWatch tool indicating a 75% chance, down from 90% a week earlier.