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Senate Approves Stopgap Funding Bill to Prevent Government Shutdown

In a dramatic turn of events, the U.S. Senate passed a six-month funding bill just hours before a potential government shutdown. The bill, which faced significant opposition from Democrats, was approved with a 54-46 vote. The legislation now heads to President Donald Trump's desk for final approval. The funding measure, often referred to as a continuing resolution (CR), was a contentious issue, with Democrats criticizing it for lacking input from their party and for falling short on key priorities like healthcare and housing assistance. However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urged his colleagues to support the bill, emphasizing that a government shutdown would have far-reaching consequences. Despite internal divisions, some Democrats sided with Republicans to ensure the bill's passage, prioritizing the avoidance of a shutdown over their reservations about the legislation. The decision has sparked debates within the Democratic Party, with some members expressing frustrati...
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Stock Market Update: Oil Surge and Fed’s Caution Impact Stocks Ahead of March Jobs Report

 




The stock market faced headwinds today as oil prices soared to their highest level in six months, while a Federal Reserve official’s warning added to investor caution. Here are the key highlights:

  1. Market Retreat:

    • The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) declined by almost 1.4%, shedding 550 points.
    • The S&P 500 (GSPC) dropped 1.2%, marking its worst single-day decline since February 13.
    • The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) slipped 1.4%.

  2. Fed’s Caution:

    • Minnesota Fed President Neel Kashkari suggested that the Fed may not cut interest rates in 2024 if inflation progress stalls.
    • Investors reacted to this cautious stance, reversing strong midday gains.

  3. Oil Price Surge:

    • Escalating tensions in the Middle East drove oil futures up by more than 1%.
    • West Texas Intermediate (CL=F) settled at $86.59 per barrel, and Brent (BZ=F) closed at $90.65 per barrel, reaching their highest levels since October.

  4. March Jobs Report Anticipation:

    • All eyes are now on the upcoming March jobs report, scheduled for release on Friday morning.
    • Experts expect it to provide insights into the robustness of the US labor market.
    • Initial jobless claims data released today showed a rise to 221,000, the highest level since January.

In summary, the stock market remains sensitive to oil price fluctuations and Fed communications. Investors eagerly await the jobs report, which will influence the Fed’s policy decisions. Stay tuned for further updates! 

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