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Artemis II Launch Slips to March After Fueling Test Issues

                         NASA's Artemis 2 moon rocket on the pad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s Artemis II mission, the first planned crewed journey around the Moon in more than fifty years, has been pushed to March after engineers identified problems during a critical fueling rehearsal. The team detected hydrogen leaks in the Space Launch System’s fueling hardware, prompting the agency to delay the mission while technicians investigate and implement fixes. Artemis II will carry four astronauts on a ten‑day lunar flyby, marking a major milestone in NASA’s long‑term plan to return humans to the Moon and eventually establish a sustained presence there. Although the delay is disappointing for mission planners and spaceflight enthusiasts, NASA emphasized that ensuring crew safety takes precedence over schedule pressure. With additional testing now underway, March stands as the earliest realistic opport...
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Stock Market Update: Mixed Finish as Yields Rise in Q2 2024


The stock market kicked off the second quarter of 2024 with a mixed performance, as US treasury yields climbed. Here are the key highlights:

  1. S&P 500 ( ^GSPC): The S&P 500 index closed down 0.2%, reflecting the cautious sentiment among investors.

  2. Dow Jones Industrial Average ( ^DJI): The Dow Jones fell 0.6%, adding to the uncertainty in the market.

  3. Nasdaq Composite ( ^IXIC): The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite managed to close slightly higher, although it retreated from its earlier session highs.

  4. Bond Yields: The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield (^TNX) rose by 12 basis points to 4.32%, approaching its highest level of the year. This surge in yields raised questions about the economy’s acceleration and its potential impact on the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions.

  5. Manufacturing Sector Expansion: Data released on Monday revealed that the US manufacturing sector is in its strongest position since 2022. The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing PMI indicated expansion for the first time since September 2022. Additionally, S&P Global reported that production hit a 22-month high last month, signaling continued economic strength.

  6. First Quarter Performance: Equities have started 2024 on a positive note. The S&P 500 has set 22 fresh closing records so far this year, marking its best first quarter since 2019. All three major averages have risen for five consecutive months.

  7. Upcoming Jobs Report: The highlight of the first week of Q2 is Friday’s jobs report, which will provide further insights into the economy’s health and serve as a crucial signal for the Federal Reserve.

In summary, while mixed market performance persists, investors remain watchful of economic indicators and central bank actions. Stay tuned for further updates as the quarter unfolds.


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