US Retail Sales reports for November are expected to show a 0.4% increase after remaining unchanged in October. This data, released by the United States Census Bureau, is linked to consumer spending, which is a key part of Gross Domestic Product. The Federal Reserve is under more scrutiny due to the Department of Justice issuing grand jury subpoenas. This comes as tensions with the Trump administration continue.

Meme Coins Show Gains

Meme coins like Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and Pepe have gained between 7% and 14%. While DOGE and SHIB have stabilized after their rallies, PEPE continues to rise, showing potential for further gains. Several guides have listed the top Forex brokers expected for 2026. These brokers have features like low spreads, high leverage, platforms such as MT4, and swap-free accounts. Each guide covers specific markets and instruments just for informational purposes. It’s important to do thorough research before investing, as there are always risks involved. The information may have errors or omissions, and neither the author nor FXStreet guarantees its accuracy or timeliness. Readers are fully responsible for any investment decisions made based on this information.

Market Reaction To Retail Sales Data

We recall the market waiting for the delayed November 2025 retail sales data, which was expected to show a modest 0.4% increase after a flat October. The actual figure surprised many by coming in at 0.6%, indicating stronger consumer spending as we approached the holidays. This change quickly altered expectations for interest rates, lowering the chances of an early cut by the Federal Reserve. This time also saw significant political uncertainty, with news in December 2025 that the Fed had received grand jury subpoenas. This development added risk to the market, causing the VIX, a key measure of anticipated market volatility, to jump over 15% in the following sessions. For derivative traders, this rise in implied volatility made purchasing protective put options on major indices pricier but also more necessary. Meanwhile, there was a clear indication of high risk appetite in the speculative parts of the market, as meme coins like Dogecoin and Pepe surged sharply. This rally added over $200 billion to the total crypto market cap in just a few weeks, indicating a growing “risk-on” sentiment. This mood suggested opportunities for buying call options on high-beta growth stocks, which tend to rise with speculative enthusiasm. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.

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