At least 30 Palestinians were killed in a wave of Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, according to local hospitals, marking one of the deadliest escalations since the ceasefire took effect. The strikes hit several densely populated areas, including parts of Gaza City and Khan Younis, leaving emergency crews struggling to reach survivors under the rubble. Medical staff reported that women and children were among the dead, with dozens more injured. The sudden surge in casualties has heightened fears that the fragile ceasefire could unravel, as both sides accuse each other of violating its terms. The latest violence comes amid ongoing humanitarian strain in Gaza, where shortages of medical supplies, fuel, and clean water continue to deepen the crisis. Residents describe a growing sense of uncertainty as they brace for the possibility of further escalation.
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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