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Kremlin Strikes Optimistic Tone as Officials Praise Trump’s Approach

  Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev attends an interview with Reuters, TASS and WarGonzo in the Moscow region, Russia January 29, 2026. Dmitry Medvedev's Secretariat. Russian officials have adopted a noticeably warmer tone toward U.S. President Donald Trump, offering public praise that signals a potential shift in the diplomatic atmosphere between Washington and Moscow. Recent comments from senior Russian figures highlight what they describe as Trump’s decisiveness and willingness to pursue negotiated solutions to global conflicts. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, characterized Trump as an “effective leader” whose unconventional style reflects a pragmatic focus on results. He suggested that Trump’s stated interest in ending the war in Ukraine could open the door to renewed dialogue. President Vladimir Putin echoed this sentiment, calling Trump a resilient and courageous figure, particularly in light of recent threats to...

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Anticipation and Reaction to Fed’s Rate Decision

 


As investors braced for the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision, North American stock markets experienced a mixed close. The Fed maintained its key interest rate at 5.25%-5.50%, leaving the future of rate cuts uncertain. Despite this, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq dipped, while the Dow Jones and S&P/TSX Composite saw modest gains.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference offered a glimmer of hope as he dismissed the likelihood of an immediate rate hike, causing a surge in market optimism. He acknowledged the persistent issue of inflation but expressed confidence in the progress towards the 2% target.

The labor market showed signs of normalization, with job openings at a three-year low2. Meanwhile, the earnings season is more than halfway through, with a majority of S&P 500 companies surpassing consensus expectations.

In the corporate landscape, AMD’s AI chip sales forecast led to a 9% drop in its shares, while Amazon’s AI-driven cloud growth pushed its stock up by 2.2%. Johnson & Johnson plans to proceed with a multi-billion-dollar lawsuit settlement, and Starbucks faced a significant sales forecast cut.

The energy sector took a hit due to falling oil prices and a potential Middle East ceasefire, while uranium miners saw a boost from a U.S. ban on Russian imports. Canadian manufacturing activity continued to contract, reflecting ongoing economic challenges.

In summary, the market’s response to the Fed’s decision was a complex interplay of anticipation, relief, and sector-specific movements, highlighting the intricate dynamics of financial markets.

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