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New Diplomacy on the Horizon: U.S. and Russia Push Ahead Without Ukraine

  In a bold shift from previous diplomatic efforts, top U.S. and Russian officials have agreed to advance negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine—even as Ukrainian representatives remain notably absent. High-level talks held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, saw U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussing the framework for future peace negotiations and steps toward restoring bilateral relations. The Trump administration’s approach, which prioritizes direct engagement with Moscow, marks a departure from longstanding principles that insisted on “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.” Critics in Kyiv have voiced strong opposition. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that any agreement reached without Ukraine’s participation would be unacceptable and would undermine the nation’s sovereignty. European leaders echoed these concerns, with several officials labeling the move as a dangerous precedent that could lead to a “dirty deal...

Wall Street Focuses on Corporate Earnings Amid Big Tech Turbulence

 

Markets around the world are closely monitoring corporate earnings this week, as Wall Street grapples with the aftermath of a significant selloff in Big Tech stocks. Let’s delve into the details:

Asia’s Resilience: Despite the blues on Wall Street, Asian shares remained resilient. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng led the region, gaining 1.6%, while Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 added 0.4%. The Shanghai Composite index, however, shed 0.5% after the People’s Bank of China kept its 1-year and 5-year loan prime rates unchanged.

U.S. Market Recap: Last week, the S&P 500 experienced its third consecutive losing week, dropping 0.9% and ending at 4,967.23. This level is 5.5% below its record set late last month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.6%, while the Nasdaq composite fell 2%. Notably, some of the market’s previously high-flying tech stocks faced significant declines. For instance, Super Micro Computer lost over a fifth of its value, and Nvidia, a major player in artificial intelligence technology, also gave up recent gains. The broader tech sector in the S&P 500 saw a 7.3% decline, the worst performance since March 2020.

Interest Rate Concerns: A key concern for investors is the likelihood of interest rates remaining high for an extended period. Top Federal Reserve officials indicated that rates could stay elevated, disappointing traders who had hoped for rate cuts. High interest rates tend to impact prices across various investments, making tech stocks particularly vulnerable. ASML, a Dutch semiconductor industry supplier, reported weaker-than-expected orders for the start of 2024, adding to the market’s unease.

Looking Ahead: As the week unfolds, all eyes remain on corporate earnings reports. Investors are eager for reassurance and signs of recovery, especially from the tech giants that faced headwinds recently. Wall Street’s focus on earnings will likely shape market sentiment in the coming days.

In summary, Wall Street’s attention is squarely on corporate earnings as it navigates the aftermath of last week’s Big Tech selloff. Stay tuned for updates as the market responds to earnings announcements and global economic trends.


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