Jackson

Hey, I'm Jackson with your Daily Brief for Thursday, January 8th.

Coming up, rare earth stocks climbed after China banned certain exports to Japan, and European inflation data landed bang on the central bank's 2% target.

More on the way, but first a word from Guy at Finimize HQ.

European inflation slid to 2% in December, hitting the European Central Bank's target after a long stretch of fine-tuning.

Inflation had been hovering just above that 2% goal for over half a year.

Most policymakers already consider prices under control, but today's reading backs that up.

One caveat, it's only core inflation, which strips out food and energy that's on a steady slide.

Services inflation, on the other hand, is more stubborn, with rising wages egging it on.

That's why the ECB is keeping its options open here.

It'll likely hold rates for now, but may trim if the economy struggles or hike if salaries keep climbing.

Meanwhile, the EU is about to vote on a digital euro.

The idea?

A central bank-issued currency to rival the dollar's dominance in global trade.

The problem isn't the concept, though.

It's the execution.

Lawmakers just can't agree on the design.

Banks are balking at implementation costs, and civil groups keep pushing back on privacy.

All signs point to a long, messy rollout, if there's even one at all.

The U.S.

dropped some data on Wednesday, too.