Stock Market Today: Russell 2000 Sets Fresh Record as Fed Chair Jerome Powell Strikes More Dovish Tone Than Expected

U.S. stocks exhibited mixed performance on December 11, 2025, following Oracle's earnings report and the Federal Reserve's decision to implement a quarter-point interest rate cut. This development reflects ongoing market volatility as investors react to corporate earnings and monetary policy changes.

Botox, a leading name in anti-aging treatments, is facing increased competition as numerous rivals enter the market, leading to a decline in prices. In response, the company has initiated a strategic plan to strengthen its market position and fend off these competitors.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated that Fed staffers believe federal job creation data may be overstating actual job growth by as much as 60,000 jobs per month, suggesting a potential contraction in the job market. This revelation raises concerns about the accuracy of economic indicators that inform policy decisions.

On December 10, 2025, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announced a third consecutive interest-rate reduction during a special edition of Bloomberg Surveillance hosted by Lisa Abramowicz and Tom Keene. The discussion featured insights from various financial experts, including representatives from JPMorgan, Charles Schwab, and BlackRock, highlighting the implications of this monetary policy shift.

McDonald's is implementing changes to address instances of customers paying $20 or more for a Value Meal, often due to higher operating costs in remote locations or venues like sports arenas. This move aims to clarify misconceptions surrounding menu pricing and enhance customer experience.

Asian equities experienced gains following a positive sentiment on Wall Street, driven by the Federal Reserve's recent interest rate cut and optimistic remarks from Chair Jerome Powell regarding the US economy's potential recovery as inflationary pressures from tariffs diminish.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announced a quarter-point rate cut, attributing the current economic boom to advancements in automation and artificial intelligence, which he previously thought were unattainable. This decision comes amid a lack of recent economic data due to the government shutdown, leading to expectations of a cautious approach in future monetary policy decisions.

Top economist Diane Swonk has warned that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell risks undermining the Fed's credibility by making decisions influenced by artificial intelligence and immigration factors, particularly in light of the current labor market's challenges. Swonk's analysis highlights the precarious state of the economy as it transitions into 2025, characterized by a 'low-hire, low-fire' environment.