U.S. stocks edged lower as investors navigated a mix of rising oil prices, corporate earnings signals, and shifting expectations around Federal Reserve policy. The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all turned down after early gains, reflecting a market grappling with geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns. Indexes Pull Back All three major indexes slipped roughly between 0.3% and 0.6%, giving back some of the previous session’s momentum. The downturn followed renewed volatility in energy markets and cautious sentiment around consumer spending. Oil Prices Add Fresh Pressure Crude prices extended their sharp rally, driven by heightened worries over a potential U.S.–Iran conflict. Brent crude climbed above $71 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate hovered near $66 — its biggest daily jump since October. Rising energy costs revived inflation concerns and weighed on equities. Walmart Earnings in Focus Walmart posted stronger‑than‑expected results, but its cautious pro...
The European Central Bank (ECB) has decided to keep its key interest rate at a record high of 4% . The decision comes amid a growing debate over the timing of cuts, with some economists predicting a policy pivot starting in April and rate cuts of 150 basis points this year .
The ECB’s decision to maintain the interest rate at its current level is aimed at battling inflation, which has been ravaging the economy. The head of the ECB has warned that cutting interest rates too soon could threaten Europe’s progress in battling inflation.
Comments
Post a Comment