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Italy Joins Spain in Halting U.S. Military Access Amid Middle East Tensions

                                                        File photo: Sigonella Air Force base in Sicily   Italy has joined Spain in blocking U.S. military aircraft from using its territory for Middle East–related operations, signaling growing European reluctance to be drawn into the escalating conflict.   Italy has refused permission for U.S. military aircraft to land at the Sigonella air base in Sicily for operations linked to the Middle East, becoming the second major European nation after Spain to restrict American military movements.  According to reports, several U.S. aircraft—reportedly including bombers—were scheduled to land at Sigonella before heading toward the conflict zone. However, Italy denied the request because the United States had not sought prior authorization, nor consulted Italian militar...

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Mixed Bank Earnings Offset Cooler-Than-Expected Inflation News

 


On Friday, January 12th, 2024, the US stock market closed with little change as mixed bank earnings offset cooler-than-expected inflation news that buoyed hopes for interest-rate cuts from the Federal Reserve. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 118.04 points, or 0.31%, to 37,592.98. The S&P 500 gained 3.59 points, or 0.08 %, at 4,783.83 and the Nasdaq Composite rose 2.58 points, or 0.02%, to 14,972.76.

Bank of America’s fourth-quarter profit shrank as the lender took $3.7 billion in one-off charges. Wells Fargo’s warning of a 7% to 9% drop in net interest income in 2024 sent the bank’s shares down 3.34%. UnitedHealth fell on higher-than-expected medical costs. Tesla fell after flagging output hit from Red Sea disruption.

The data showed U.S. producer prices unexpectedly fell in December as the cost of goods such as food and diesel fuel declined, while prices for services were unchanged for a third consecutive month, in contrast to Thursday’s hotter-than-expected consumer inflation reading. Expectations for a rate cut of at least 25 basis points by the Fed in March moved up to 79.5%, according to CME’s FedWatch Tool, from 73.2% in the prior session.


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