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US and India Seal Major Trade Pact as Tariffs Fall and Energy Ties Shift

                                      US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi  The United States and India have reached a significant new trade agreement that lowers U.S. tariffs on Indian goods to 18%, marking a major step toward easing recent economic frictions. In a reciprocal move, India has agreed to phase out its purchases of Russian oil, a longstanding point of tension in its relations with Washington. The deal signals a strategic realignment for both nations. India, one of the world’s largest energy importers, will begin redirecting its oil sourcing toward alternative suppliers, including the United States. Meanwhile, reduced tariffs are expected to boost Indian exports and strengthen commercial ties between the two economies. The announcement has already generated optimism among investors and industry groups, who anticipate smoothe...

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Inflation Jitters Rattle Markets: Dow Plunges 500 Points

U.S. stock markets were gripped by turbulence today as investors grappled with a hotter-than-expected January inflation report. The data revealed that prices cooled at a slower pace than anticipated, sending shockwaves through Wall Street.

Here are the Numbers

  • The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) plummeted 1.4%, shedding approximately 500 points.
  • The S&P 500 (GSPC) followed suit, experiencing a similar drop.
  • The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) led the day’s sharp declines, closing down 1.8%.

Impact of Inflation

  • The Consumer Price Index (CPI) release for January showed “core” prices increased by 0.4%, marking the largest monthly gain since April 2023.
  • On a headline basis, prices surged 3.1%, surpassing economist estimates but decelerating from December’s 3.4% annual gain.

Bitcoin’s Comeback

  • Meanwhile, the price of Bitcoin (BTC-USD) hovered below $50,000 after breaching this closely watched level for the first time since 2021.

Market Fallout

  • It was the worst day for both the Nasdaq and S&P 500 since January 31, while the Dow experienced its most significant decline since March 2022.
  • Small caps also suffered, with the Russell 2000 (RUT) closing at its lowest level since June 2022.

As investors recalibrate their expectations, uncertainty looms over the path forward. Will the Federal Reserve’s next move address these inflationary pressures? Only time will tell.


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