US Stocks Eye Fifth Weekly Gain as Holiday Sales Soar, While UK Energy Drags Down FTSE
• US markets aim for fifth straight week of gains, buoyed by Black Friday sales hitting new records • UK energy stocks drag down FTSE 100 as oil and gas prices decline ahead of OPEC meeting • Precious metals strengthening, with gold at 6-month high on hopes of central bank policy normalization in 2024 • Cyber Monday sales expected to extend strong Black Friday showing, though inflation blurring real growth picture • Core PCE inflation data on Thursday pivotal for US rate cut expectations in first half of 2024