Markets also watch for signals on central bank independence and leadership changes as gold reaches a record high amid a weakened U.S. dollar.
The Federal Reserve is anticipated to pause its cycle of interest rate cuts at its first policy meeting in 2026. Investors are closely monitoring the implications for central bank independence and the forthcoming selection of its next chair. Meanwhile, gold prices reached an all-time high, while the U.S. dollar index dropped to a four-year low, reflecting shifts in market sentiment and investor demand for safe-haven assets.