U.S. stocks edged lower as investors navigated a mix of rising oil prices, corporate earnings signals, and shifting expectations around Federal Reserve policy. The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all turned down after early gains, reflecting a market grappling with geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns. Indexes Pull Back All three major indexes slipped roughly between 0.3% and 0.6%, giving back some of the previous session’s momentum. The downturn followed renewed volatility in energy markets and cautious sentiment around consumer spending. Oil Prices Add Fresh Pressure Crude prices extended their sharp rally, driven by heightened worries over a potential U.S.–Iran conflict. Brent crude climbed above $71 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate hovered near $66 — its biggest daily jump since October. Rising energy costs revived inflation concerns and weighed on equities. Walmart Earnings in Focus Walmart posted stronger‑than‑expected results, but its cautious pro...
Ahead of crucial inflation data and a public event by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, Wall Street saw a rise in premarket trading on Wednesday. Investors are keenly awaiting Friday’s inflation report, which the Fed will closely monitor for its next rate policy decision. Powell’s subsequent webcast discussion at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco is expected to provide insights into potential rate cuts, with speculation of a reduction as early as May.
The U.S. economy has shown resilience despite higher interest rates aimed at controlling inflation, with the S&P 500 on track for its fifth consecutive winning month after a 9% surge this year. However, recent reports suggest a bumpier path in reducing inflation, with some costs exceeding expectations.
Amidst this economic backdrop, Trump Media & Technology Group’s shares soared after its IPO, despite financial losses and limited user growth. Meanwhile, global shares, particularly in Japan, were influenced by the yen’s decline to a 34-year low, prompting discussions among Japan’s monetary authorities.
Investors remain cautious as they consider whether the market has become overvalued after its recent rally, and analysts emphasize the need for broader profit growth to sustain current stock prices.
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