Skip to main content

Featured

Washington’s Aims in Iran Remain Steady, Says Hegseth

                                   Hegseth told reporters that the objectives remained to destroy Iran's missile launchers. In a recent commentary, Fox News host Pete Hegseth argued that the United States’ strategic objectives in Iran have remained largely unchanged despite shifting administrations and evolving regional tensions. According to Hegseth, Washington continues to prioritize deterring Iran’s nuclear ambitions, countering its regional influence, and protecting U.S. personnel and allies in the Middle East. Hegseth suggested that while tactics may vary—from diplomatic pressure to targeted military responses—the core goals have stayed consistent for decades. He also emphasized that Iran’s actions, including support for proxy groups and continued nuclear development, keep the region on edge and force U.S. policymakers to maintain a firm posture. His remarks come amid renewed...
Post a Comment
Read more

article

Labels

US Futures Fall as Rate-Cut Bets Get a Reality Check

 


US stock futures fell on Wednesday, signaling no let-up in a rough January. Investors’ optimism for interest rate cuts got a reality check, and worries about China’s economy grew. Dow Jones Industrial Average ( ^DJI) futures fell 0.4%, while S&P 500 ( ^GSPC) futures slid 0.4%, set to build on Tuesday’s losing start to the holiday-shortened week. 

Futures on the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 ( ^NDX) were down roughly 0.5%. Stocks have struggled as policymakers push back against persistent bets that central banks will cut rates early and often in 2024. ECB president Christine Lagarde on Wednesday joined the likes of Federal Reserve Governor Chris Waller in warning that expectations of imminent loosening are too high. Another knockback came from disappointing GDP data suggesting that China’s growth is flagging despite stimulus measures. 

Oil prices fell amid fears of a pullback in demand from the world’s second biggest economy. Hopes now rest on quarterly earnings, with the season set to pick up pace, and the release of the December retail sales report later Wednesday. 

Fed officials have been keen to stress that their policy decision making will be driven by incoming economic data. Regional bank fourth-quarter results are in focus in the morning after earnings from Wall Street’s big lenders got a mixed reception.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment