European markets open higher but France’s political upheaval is in focus

Commenting on Switzerland’s November inflation reading, Kyle Chapman, FX Markets Analyst at Ballinger Group, noted in emailed comments that the Swiss print was now lower than it was in June.

“On a six-monthly basis, the Swiss economy has already slipped deep into deflation,” he said. “For that reason, a 50 basis points cut next week remains my call.”

Chapman added that he saw the Swiss National Bank — which is due to revisit its monetary policy on Dec. 12 — bringing interest rates down to zero, or possibly into negative territory, by the end of 2025.

“There are a lot of reasons to believe that inflation will remain subdued next year,” he said. “U.S. tariffs and political woes pose downside risks to growth in the eurozone, and rising safe haven demand and quicker rate cuts elsewhere should put a floor on the franc.”

— Chloe Taylor

Switzerland’s inflation rate rose 0.7% year-on-year in November, just shy of the 0.8% print expected by analysts polled by Reuters.

The country recorded a 0.1% drop in consumer prices from the previous month.

The cooling inflation rate could add pressure to the Swiss National Bank to cut interest rates further, as the institution prepares to make a decision on its monetary policy next week.

The Swiss Federal Statistics Office on Tuesday said that the slight fall in prices was partly attributed to a drop in the cost of hotels, international package holidays and new cars. Housing costs for renters nevertheless bucked the trend with a hike last month, while air transport also picked up.

— Chloe Taylor

Goldman Sachs has refreshed its lists of top global stock picks for December by adding some and removing others.

The stocks are featured in the investment bank’s “Conviction List – Directors’ Cut,” which boasts a “curated and active” list of buy-rated stocks.

There have also been plenty of additions to the Directors’ Cut, including the following three stocks which Goldman gives more than 40% upside potential over the next 12 months.

CNBC Pro subscribers can read the full story here.

— Amala Balakrishner

One of Canada’s large financial holding companies appears to be an attractive dividend investment opportunity, according to Scotiabank analysts.

The investment bank believes the value of the dividend growth is “not reflected” in the stock price and is “underappreciated” by the market.

The stock is currently offering investors 5% dividend yield.

CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here.

— Ganesh Rao

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both closed at new records on Monday.

The broad market benchmark added 0.24% to settle at 6,047.15. The Nasdaq Composite gained 0.97%, finishing at 19,403.95. On the other hand, the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 128.65 points, or 0.29%, to close at 44,782.00.

— Lisa Kailai Han

European markets are expected to open higher Tuesday.

The U.K.’s FTSE 100 index is expected to open 18 points higher at 8,322, Germany’s DAX up 15 points at 19,922, France’s CAC up 29 points at 7,245 and Italy’s FTSE MIB up 43 points at 33,601, according to data from IG.

Data releases Tuesday include U.K. retail sales and Spanish unemployment figures.

— Holly Ellyatt