Next week's macro outlook: FOMC minutes become the focus amid low liquidity

PANews December 27 News, despite the holiday season in the external markets, gold, silver, and platinum prices all surged to record highs, continuing the historic rally of precious metals at the end of the year. Looking ahead to next week, with New Year’s Day approaching, there are virtually no major macroeconomic data releases, and global financial markets will remain in a state of extremely low liquidity, with trading volumes expected to be significantly below normal levels. The true start of the 2026 market trend may have to wait until the second week of January. Here are the key points the market will focus on in the coming week: Tuesday 03:00, Federal Reserve releases the minutes of the monetary policy meeting Wednesday 21:30, US initial jobless claims for the week ending December 27; Friday 22:45, US December S&P Global Manufacturing PMI Final. Due to Christmas and New Year’s Day back-to-back, no Federal Reserve officials will be speaking next week, and the same applies to major central banks. Notably, the Federal Reserve will release the December meeting minutes. These minutes will be closely watched by investors seeking any clues about the timing of the next rate cut by the Federal Reserve and to understand how concerned the policymakers who voted to keep rates unchanged are about inflation. It is crucial to select a person who can reach a consensus within the highly divided Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). However, regardless of whom Trump chooses, the new Federal Reserve Chair is almost certain to be more dovish than Powell, so this announcement may pose relatively low risk to the markets.