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Markets Steady as Tariff Tensions Ease and Trade Talks Gain Momentum

U.S. stock futures edged higher Tuesday morning, signaling cautious optimism among investors following President Trump's latest tariff announcements. Futures tied to the S&P 500 rose 0.12% , while Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.25% , as markets digested the news of steep import duties on 14 countries and a delayed implementation date of August 1 . The tariff threats—ranging from 25% to 40% —initially rattled markets, with major indexes closing lower on Monday. However, the postponement has opened a window for renewed trade negotiations , giving investors hope that diplomatic efforts may avert a full-blown trade war. Global Respons:  Countries like South Korea and Japan , both targeted by the tariffs, have signaled readiness to accelerate trade talks. Meanwhile, Wall Street is keeping a close eye on upcoming Federal Reserve minutes and corporate earnings , with Delta Air Lines set to kick off the season later this week. With the deadline extended and negotiations underway, invest...

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Wall Street braces for inflation data amid Fed uncertainty

Wall Street is set to open lower on Monday as investors await the latest inflation data and the Federal Reserve’s next move on interest rates.

The S&P 500 futures fell 0.5% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dropped 0.4% ahead of the opening bell.

The main focus this week will be the government’s consumer prices report, due on Tuesday, which will show how much inflation has eased or worsened in February. Inflation has been a major concern for the markets, as it erodes the value of future earnings and could prompt the Fed to tighten monetary policy faster than expected.

The Fed has raised interest rates 11 times since March 2022, bringing its benchmark rate to a 23-year high of about 5.4%. The central bank has said it expects to cut rates three times in 2024, but has not given any clear signal on the timing of the first cut.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell testified to Congress last week, but did not offer any new insights into the Fed’s outlook or plans. Powell said the Fed would continue to monitor the economic data and act as appropriate to support the recovery.

Investors will also pay attention to other economic indicators this week, such as the producer prices index, the retail sales report, and the consumer sentiment survey.

Meanwhile, the earnings season is winding down, with a few notable companies left to report their results. Oracle, Kohl’s, Dollar Tree, and Dollar General are among the companies scheduled to release their quarterly numbers this week.

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