According to preliminary data from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, real US GDP grew by 1.4% year-on-year in the fourth quarter. This figure was significantly lower than analysts' expectations of 2.8%.

Inflation data also attracted investor attention. The Core Personal Consumer Expenditures (Core PCE) price index, considered a key benchmark for the Federal Reserve, rose 0.4% month-on-month in December, up from 0.2% in November. The forecast had called for a 0.3% increase.

Year-on-year, the index accelerated to 3.0%, compared to the expected 2.9%. In November, annual growth was 2.8%. Therefore, the slowdown in economic activity is coupled with more persistent inflationary pressures, which could complicate the Fed's future interest rate decisions.