Wall Street Holds Its Breath Ahead of November Inflation Data: Key Stocks to Watch
- Why Is Wall Street Nervous Today?
- General Mills: Holding the Line Amid Mixed Results
- Oil Inventories: Another Head-Scratcher
- Deal Drama: Warner Bros Snubs Paramount for Netflix
- Regulatory Roulette: Tesla’s "Autopilot" Under Fire
- FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
As Wall Street braces for November's inflation report, markets dip cautiously amid mixed employment data. General Mills holds steady with its annual forecasts, while Warner Bros rejects Paramount's bid in favor of Netflix. Oil inventories surprise analysts, and Tesla faces regulatory scrutiny over "Autopilot" claims. Here’s a deep dive into the day’s financial movers and shakers.
Why Is Wall Street Nervous Today?
U.S. markets edged lower on December 18, 2025, as investors awaited November’s inflation data—due tomorrow—following a lukewarm jobs report. The Dow Jones slipped 0.09% to 48,071 points, while the Nasdaq dropped 1.14% to 22,844. "It’s a classic ‘wait-and-see’ mood," noted a BTCC analyst. "Everyone’s eyeing whether inflation cools enough to justify rate cuts next quarter."
General Mills: Holding the Line Amid Mixed Results
General Mills (+2.58% to $48.22) stood out after reaffirming its 2025/2026 annual outlook, despite a 7% revenue drop to $9.4 billion. International sales ROSE 6% to $1.5 billion, buoyed by favorable exchange rates. Operating profit jumped 29% to $2.45 billion, though restructuring costs bit into margins. "They’re playing the long game," quipped one trader. "Like their cereal, they’re banking on staying ‘grrrr-eat’ post-pandemic."
Oil Inventories: Another Head-Scratcher
U.S. crude stocks fell 1.274 million barrels last week—less than the 2.4 million expected. Gasoline reserves swung wildly, dropping to 4.808 million barrels from 6.397 million, while distillates rose 1.712 million. "These numbers are messier than a toddler’s lunch," joked an energy sector analyst. "Traders might as well flip a coin."
Deal Drama: Warner Bros Snubs Paramount for Netflix
Warner Bros doubled down on streaming, rejecting Paramount’s counteroffer to partner with Netflix instead. No dollar figures were disclosed, but insiders call it a "bet-the-house move" in the content wars. Meanwhile, Amazon is reportedly in talks to invest in OpenAI—a deal that could value the AI giant at over $500 billion.
Regulatory Roulette: Tesla’s "Autopilot" Under Fire
California’s DMV called Tesla’s "Full Self-Driving" labels "misleading," giving the company 60 days to revise its terminology or face a 30-day dealer license suspension. "It’s like calling a tricycle a ‘Ferrari,’" scoffed a regulatory expert. Tesla shares wobbled but held steady.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
When will November’s inflation data be released?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics will publish the report on December 19, 2025, at 8:30 AM EST.
Why did General Mills’ stock rise despite lower revenue?
Investors rewarded the company for maintaining full-year guidance and improving operational efficiency, even as sales dipped.
Is Amazon’s OpenAI investment confirmed?
Not yet—Reuters reports negotiations are ongoing, but neither company has issued official statements.
