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Stocks Halt Rally at Start of Key Inflation Week: Markets Wrap

(Bloomberg) -- Stocks retreated after a rally that put the market on pace for its best year since 2019, with traders awaiting key inflation data that will help shape the outlook for Federal Reserve rates.Most Read from BloombergBrace for a Nationwide Shuffle of Corporate HeadquartersA Chicago Skyscraper Cements the Legacy of a Visionary Postmodern ArchitectCloud Computing Tax Threatens Chicago’s Silicon Valley AmbitionsNYC’s Run-Down Bus Terminal Gets Approval for $10 Billion RevampKansas City L

Oil rises over 1% on ouster of Syria's Assad, Chinese monetary policy

HOUSTON (Reuters) -Oil prices climbed more than 1% on Monday on higher geopolitical risk after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and as top importer China flagged its first move towards a loosened monetary policy stance since 2010. "Events in Syria over the weekend could impact the crude market and increase the geopolitical risk premium on oil prices in the weeks and months to come amid yet more instability in the Middle East region," said Jorge Leon, Rystad Energy's head of geopolitical analysis.

California law, refinery exit reflect ongoing fuel market challenges, EIA says

Fuelmakers in California could face more headwinds next year as new legislation takes effect and refining margins remain weak, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Monday. California, the most populous U.S. state, consistently faces some of the nation's highest average gasoline prices, leading to an often tense relationship between the state and oil companies. However, imported fuels are likely to become a more important source of supply for California as refineries in the state struggle with profitability, the EIA said in an analysis on Monday.

Dollar edges up as market looks to CPI data; Aussie, kiwi rise on China

NEW YORK (Reuters) -The dollar was up slightly in skittish trading on Monday as investors awaited U.S. inflation data later this week, while the Australian and New Zealand dollars rallied after China pledged an "appropriately loose" monetary policy next year. While markets have priced in a quarter-point interest-rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve next week as a near certainty, investors are waiting for U.S. consumer price data on Wednesday. "The move higher in unemployment that we saw in November, that really just cements the case for a 25-basis-point cut next Wednesday," said Michael Brown, senior research strategist at Pepperstone.

Why Alibaba's Stock Is Soaring Monday

Alibaba's U.S.-traded shares soared Monday after Chinese authorities announced plans to expand stimulus spending next year and co-founder Jack Ma highlighted the company's potential to benefit from AI. Alibaba affiliate Ant Group also named a new CEO.