• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military

2

'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032

3

Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there

1

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military

2

'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032

3

Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
Finance5 things

The Wait For The Fed Is Nearly Over–5 Things to Know Today

By
Laura Lorenzetti
Laura Lorenzetti
and
Geoffrey Smith
Geoffrey Smith
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Laura Lorenzetti
Laura Lorenzetti
and
Geoffrey Smith
Geoffrey Smith
Down Arrow Button Icon
December 15, 2015, 5:56 AM ET
US-ECONOMY-FINANCE-CONGRESS-YELLEN
Chair of the US Federal Reserve Janet Yellen testifies before a Joint Economic Committee hearing on "The Economic Outlook," on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on December 3, 2015. AFP PHOTO/NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP / NICHOLAS KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)NICHOLAS KAMM—AFP/Getty Images

Hello friends and Fortune readers.

Wall Street stock futures are higher this morning as global markets take their lead from a strong end to Monday’s session in the U.S.. Crude oil futures have bounced sharply to nearly $37 a barrel on talk of an emergency OPEC meeting to rein in oversupply if crude prices fall below $30. But the dollar continues to lose ground ahead of the Fed’s year-end meeting, with a first rate hike in nearly 10 years now thoroughly priced in.

Today’s must-read story is by Fortune’s Beth Kowitt on why PepsiCo’s (PEP) latest move to call its Tropicana orange juice GMO-free is almost meaningless and, ultimately, hinders the movement for GMO labeling. One expert says the move “obfuscates and adds confusion” rather than increase transparency. Read more here.

Here’s what else you need to know.

 

1. The Fed kicks off its last meeting this year.

The Federal Open Markets Committee begins its final two-day meeting for 2015, where many expect the group will decide to finally raise interest rates, for the first time since 2006. Investors anticipate a 79% chance that the Federal Reserve will pull the trigger, according to federal funds futures contracts. Ongoing rate gains are expected to be gradual and many traders are wagering that the Fed will manage only about two future rate hikes in 2016.

2. Volkswagen loses market share

Volkswagen AG’s market share in the E.U. fell sharply in November, the first full month to reflect the impact of the diesel emissions scandal on sales. According to the Brussels-based industry group ACEA, VW’s share of the E.U. market fell to 12.2% from 13.5%, as sales rose by only 3.1% on the year, compared to a broader increase of 13.7%. U.S. makers GM, Ford and Fiat Chrysler all ate into VW’s share.

3. U.S. inflation update.

The Fed’s rate decision has hinged on two concerns: in-check inflation and improving employment. Employment has steadily improved over the past few years, while inflation has remained low. Another update comes tomorrow when the U.S. Labor Department releases November’s consumer-price index. Inflation was likely flat last month compared to October, held down by low gasoline prices, according to analyst estimates. Official figures will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET.

4. IAEA ends its nearly 12-year-long Iranian probe.

The International Atomic Energy Agency’s board of governors is expected to end its nearly 12-year-long investigation into Iran’s nuclear program and its links to military programs. The extraordinary meeting in Vienna is a vital step towards unraveling sanctions against the nation and implementing the recently signed nuclear deal. Earlier this month, the IAEA said that Iranian scientists had played with nuclear-bomb technologies but never produced an actual weapon, ending the program in 2009. Iranian officials have denied the findings.

5. Approval deadline looms for Halliburton-Baker Hughes deal.

The U.S. Justice Department deadline for a decision on the Halliburton-Baker Hughes merger is due today, though officials could opt to extend the deadline or file a lawsuit to prevent the deal. Halliburton (HAL) announced its intention to buy Baker Hughes (BHI) for $34.6 billion in November of last year. The deal would merge the No. 2 and No. 3 oil-field services companies, and that is what has the DOJ worried. Antitrust officials are trying to figure out what assets would need to be sold to allow competitors to stay competitive, according to a Wall Street Journal report. If the deal falls through because of antitrust issues, Halliburton is required to pay Baker Hughes $3.5 billion.

About the Authors
By Laura Lorenzetti
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
By Geoffrey Smith
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Finance

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Finance

‘I love the inflation’: Trump is ‘not concerned’ about inflation hitting 4% for the first time since 2023. ‘The numbers were great’
EconomyDonald Trump
‘I love the inflation’: Trump is ‘not concerned’ about inflation hitting 4% for the first time since 2023. ‘The numbers were great’
By The Associated Press and Christopher RugaberJune 10, 2026
14 minutes ago
A man guides a ship in the water.
EnergyOil
Analysts expected oil to surge above $200 but China has quietly kept prices half of that—and can’t for much longer
By Sasha RogelbergJune 10, 2026
48 minutes ago
Meryl Streep says she was ‘ready to retire’ when the call for ‘Devil Wears Prada 2’ came—so she demanded they double her salary or nothing
SuccessThe Promotion Playbook
Meryl Streep says she was ‘ready to retire’ when the call for ‘Devil Wears Prada 2’ came—so she demanded they double her salary or nothing
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 10, 2026
5 hours ago
Kevin Warsh (L) shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump after being sworn in as the new Chairman of the Federal Reserve in the East Room of the White House on May 22, 2026 in Washington, DC.
EconomyInflation
Inflation is back above 4% for the first time since 2023—but Kevin Warsh might catch a break
By Eva RoytburgJune 10, 2026
5 hours ago
swiss
EuropeImmigration
Switzerland to cast world’s first ever vote on whether to cap population
By Jamey Keaten and The Associated PressJune 10, 2026
5 hours ago
Top CD rates from major banks on June 10, 2026: Chase CDs, Bank of America CDs, Citibank CDs, and more
Personal FinanceCertificates of Deposit (CDs)
Top CD rates from major banks on June 10, 2026: Chase CDs, Bank of America CDs, Citibank CDs, and more
By Joseph HostetlerJune 10, 2026
6 hours ago

Most Popular

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military
Asia
Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military
By Kate O'Keeffe and BloombergJune 8, 2026
2 days ago
'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032
Economy
'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032
By Nick LichtenbergJune 9, 2026
1 day ago
Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
Success
Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
By Preston ForeJune 8, 2026
2 days ago
Current price of oil as of June 9, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 9, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 9, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of silver as of Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of silver as of Tuesday, June 9, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 9, 2026
1 day ago
Wall Street dumped nearly $1 trillion in tech stocks by midday—then clawed it back and bought peanut butter and paint
Investing
Wall Street dumped nearly $1 trillion in tech stocks by midday—then clawed it back and bought peanut butter and paint
By Eva RoytburgJune 9, 2026
21 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.