Market Watch: Stocks Rally, Dow Hits Record High, and Fed Euphoria Sweeps Wall Street

In the week ahead, investors will be closely watching U.S. data, including the release of the personal consumption expenditures report and updates on housing sector indicators. There is speculation about a potential Santa Claus rally in the stock market, although some optimism has been dampened by comments from the Fed Bank of New York President. The Bank of Japan may be inching towards a policy pivot, and expectations are mounting that they could end negative interest rates. Gold is on track for its first annual gain since 2020, driven by a weaker dollar and expectations for rate cuts in 2024. In the U.K., inflation remains elevated, and the latest data is likely to confirm this, potentially impacting the Bank of England's rate decisions.