Stock markets operate firm and the dollar falls ahead of US inflation data.

Global stocks were stable on Friday, while the dollar fell slightly waiting for inflation data USAwhich could shape expectations for how quickly interest rates could fall in 2024.

The asian stocks fell, as Chinese internet stocks plunged after the regulator published draft rules that would impose spending limits on players. MSCI’s world stock index was flat but up 0.5% on the week, on track for its eighth straight weekly gain, its longest streak since early 2018.

The data has markets bracing for a surprise to the downside in the last key figure before Christmasthe personal consumption expenditure index for November, which will be published at 1330 GMT with expectations of a monthly increase of 0.2%.

S&P 500 futures were flat, while Nasdaq 100 futures were down 0.1%. The actions of Nike fell in pre-market trading after the company cut its sales forecast, blaming consumer caution, which, in turn, weighed on European car makers. sportswear as Adidas, Cougar and JD Sports.

The STOXX 600 <.STOXX > was trading stable. The index has gained almost 13% this year. Most of this rise has materialized in the last eight weeks, thanks to the strong momentum of the fall in the inflation in the euro zone, which has fueled expectations of a rapid drop in interest rates next year.

In it oil market, concerns about the safety of maritime transport in the Red Sea kept people nervous. Oil prices recovered part of the losses recorded the day before, caused by Angola’s decision to leave the OPECwhich has called into question the unity of the group of producers in their efforts to limit global supply.

Brent crude futures rose 0.8% to $80 a barrel.

In the currency market, the euro hit its highest against the dollar since August, rising 0.13% to US$1.1024. The index dollar fell 0.2% against a basket of six major currencies.

Sterling rose 0.4% to $1.2743, shaking off earlier government data showing the British economy contracted 0.1% in the third quarter and was estimated to have recorded no growth. In a second.

He japanese yenwhich has been the currency that has performed the worst against the dollar this year thanks to the policy of the Bank of Japan to necessarily keep low interest ratestraded unchanged at 142.05 units per dollar.

Gold is on track to close the week and the year with increases, adding 12% so far this year, to $2,049 per ounce.

(Additional reporting by Tom Westbrook in Singapore; Editing in Spanish by Ricardo Figueroa)

With information from Reuters