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Futures Slip as Geopolitical Tensions Overshadow Strong Bank Earnings

  US stock futures edged lower as investors balanced upbeat bank earnings against rising geopolitical unease tied to escalating tensions involving Iran. Contracts tied to the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all traded in the red, signaling a cautious start to the trading day. Major banks delivered solid quarterly results, with strong trading revenue and resilient consumer activity helping lift sentiment in the financial sector. Yet the optimism was tempered by concerns that potential US responses to developments in Iran could inject fresh volatility into global markets. Energy prices climbed as traders braced for possible disruptions. The pullback comes at a moment when investors are already navigating a crowded landscape of economic data, inflation readings, and policy uncertainty. With markets on edge, even strong corporate performance wasn’t enough to counter the broader risk-off mood.

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Dow’s Remarkable Rally: An 8-Day Streak of Triumphs

 

In an impressive display of resilience, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has secured its eighth consecutive day of gains, a streak not seen since early 2019. This sustained upward movement comes amid growing optimism that the Federal Reserve may introduce a rate cut sooner than anticipated.

Investors have been closely monitoring a series of speeches from Federal Reserve officials, seeking confirmation of the burgeoning belief that a rate reduction is imminent. This sentiment has been bolstered by recent indicators suggesting a cooling labor market, which could prompt a more accommodative monetary policy stance.

The Dow’s latest climb of roughly 0.2% is part of a broader recovery from April’s market slump, with the S&P 500 also advancing towards a record high. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite has paralleled this ascent, albeit at a more modest pace.

On the corporate front, standout performances include TSMC, whose shares surged following a 60% sales increase in April, driven by persistent demand for AI and a resurgence in consumer electronics.

As the market heads into the weekend, all eyes are on the upcoming consumer price index report, which will offer further insights into the Federal Reserve’s potential rate cut trajectory. Investors remain hopeful that a dovish turn in policy could sustain the current rally, propelling the Dow and its counterparts to new heights.

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