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Farmers Bring Their Demands to Athens as Costs Surge

Greek farmers with their tractors rally in front of the Greek parliament, over unsolved issues after weeks of blockades. Greek farmers converged on Athens in a powerful display of frustration over rising production costs that they say are pushing them to the brink. Driving tractors, carrying banners, and gathering in Syntagma Square, they demanded stronger government support to keep their farms viable. The protesters argue that soaring fuel prices, higher electricity bills, and increased costs for animal feed and fertilizers have made it nearly impossible to sustain their livelihoods. Many also want long‑term structural reforms, including better access to water resources and more predictable subsidies. Government officials have acknowledged the pressure on the agricultural sector and signaled willingness to negotiate, but farmers insist that previous promises have not been enough. Their message in the capital was clear: without meaningful relief, Greece risks losing a vital part of ...

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US Futures Rise After Strong February Jobs Report

 


In a positive turn of events, US stock futures remained steady after the release of the February jobs report. The report revealed that the US economy added 275,000 jobs, surpassing Wall Street expectations once again. However, there was a slight increase in the unemployment rate, ticking up to 3.9%, marking its first rise in four months.

Key Takeaways:

  • Job Growth: The economy demonstrated robust job growth, reflecting resilience despite recent challenges.
  • Federal Reserve Implications: The slowdown in job additions could prompt the Federal Reserve to consider interest rate cuts as a preventive measure against rising unemployment.
  • Investor Sentiment: Investors are closely monitoring the data, anticipating the Fed’s response and its impact on the markets.

Market Outlook:

  • S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100: Futures for these indices edged up shortly after 5 a.m. ET, signaling a positive start to the trading day.
  • Dow Jones Industrial Average: Despite some initial weakness, the Dow was poised to shed about 40 points.
  • London’s FTSE 100: The blue-chip index experienced a 0.4% decline in morning trading.
  • Chipmakers: AI darling Nvidia continued its winning streak, rising 3% in premarket trading in New York.

Investors will closely watch the non-farm payrolls report, which tracks the number of jobs added last month. Economists predict a slowdown from 353,000 to 200,000 jobs, potentially influencing the Fed’s decision on interest rates2. Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasized the need for more data and a sustained cooling of inflation before any rate adjustments.

As the markets open, all eyes are on the employment data, shaping the trajectory of financial decisions in the coming days. Stay tuned for further updates!


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