U.S. investors snapped up equity funds for a sixth consecutive week through Dec. 11, spurred by the potential for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut at the upcoming meeting, amid signs of a moderating labor market and cooling inflation.

A decision by the U.S. Federal Reserve will be the highlight of a busy week for central-bank decisions. Other interest-rate decisions are due from Japan, the U.K., Norway and Sweden.

Global equity funds attracted inflows for an 11th successive week through Dec. 11, supported by signs that a cooling U.S. labor market and stable consumer prices might facilitate a third consecutive rate cut by the Federal Reserve this month.

The Fed doesn't want to cause a recession by leaving rates too high for too long, which is why it cut the federal funds rate by 50 basis points in September, followed by another 2

Key Takeaways The Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut its key interest rate on Wednesday, but plans for future cuts are much more up in the air.Fed officials could give some insight into how the central bank is digesting recent economic data showing stubborn inflation and a resilient but still-cooling labor market.

A look at the day ahead in U.S. and global markets by Samuel Indyk The stellar year for U.S. stock markets took a bit of a breather on Thursday, perhaps expected after a rally that has led the Nasdaq to 20,