5 things to know before the stock market opens Thursday

Here are the most important news items that investors need to start their trading day:

1. Rate cut comedown

The U.S. economy is chipping away at hopes for a string of interest rate cuts this year. Major U.S. stock averages fell on Wednesday — the third straight decline for the Dow Jones Industrial Average — after stronger-than-expected December retail sales data dimmed investor optimism that the Federal Reserve would ease monetary policy this year. It was only the latest data point to suggest the central bank may not pull back on its measures designed to tame inflation as quickly as many investors would like. On Thursday, weekly jobless claims, two readings on the health of the housing market and remarks from Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic will help to drive stocks. Follow live market updates here.

2. 'Powerful forces'

3. Gloom gathers over Google

Google will cut more jobs this year, CEO Sundar Pichai warned employees in a memo Wednesday. The move will come amid a wave of cost cuts at the company, which set out to eliminate 12,000 jobs, or 6% of its full-time workforce, last year. Pichai told employees the company will not cut as many positions as it did last year, and the layoffs "will not touch every team." He said Google has to reduce costs in order to invest in "big priorities" like AI. Pichai wrote, "The reality is that to create the capacity for this investment, we have to make tough choices."

4. Apple improvises

Apple has found its way around a possible ban on the sale of its latest Watch models in the U.S. The company will remove blood oxygen reading from versions of its Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, which will go on sale starting Thursday. Apple modified the device during an ongoing patent dispute over the blood oxygen sensor with medical device company Masimo. Pending an appeal of an International Trade Commission decision banning the import and sale of watches with the technology, "Apple is taking steps to comply with the ruling while ensuring customers have access to Apple Watch with limited disruption," a spokesperson said.

5. Leaning out