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Russia’s Use of INF-Banned Missiles in Ukraine Sparks Global Alarm

                                                      File photo: The two leaders met in Alaska earlier this year Russia has reportedly deployed the 9M729 ground-launched cruise missile —a weapon once banned under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty —against Ukraine, marking its first confirmed use in combat. The missile, capable of carrying either nuclear or conventional warheads, has an estimated range of up to 2,500 kilometers , far exceeding the 500 km limit once imposed by the treaty. Background The INF Treaty , signed in 1987 by U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, prohibited ground-launched missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. However, U.S. officials accused Russia of secretly developing the 9M729 in violation of the pact. This dispute ultimately led Presiden...

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Market Rally Takes a Breather Amid Investor Caution

 

The relentless rally in U.S. stocks has finally hit a pause, with futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 showing slight declines in early trading on Tuesday. This comes after both indices closed at record highs on Monday, driven by a post-election surge and investor optimism.

Market Performance

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dipped by 0.1%, while S&P 500 futures fell by 0.2%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 futures also edged down by 0.1%. This slight pullback is seen as a natural pause after a week of significant gains that pushed major indices to unprecedented levels.

Investor Sentiment

Wall Street analysts are signaling caution, suggesting that the recent surge might be overdone. According to Bank of America, investor exposure to U.S. stocks has reached an 11-year high, which could set the stage for profit-taking. Citi strategists echoed this sentiment, noting that the bullish bets might soon lead to a market correction.

Economic and Political Factors

The market is also digesting the potential policy impacts of President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks. Florida Senator Marco Rubio has been nominated for Secretary of State, joining other high-profile China hawks in the administration. This has raised concerns about tougher tariffs on Chinese goods, which could spur inflation and affect global trade dynamics.

Cryptocurrency Surge

In the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin’s rally continues, with the digital currency nearing the $90,000 mark before easing back to around $87,240. This surge is attributed to investor optimism surrounding Trump’s pro-crypto policies.

Upcoming Economic Data

Investors are now turning their attention to upcoming economic reports. Wednesday’s consumer price index (CPI) for October will be closely watched for signs of cooling inflation, which is a key focus for the Federal Reserve. Additionally, Thursday’s retail sales data will provide further insights into consumer spending trends ahead of the holiday season.

Conclusion

While the market’s recent performance has been impressive, the current pause reflects a mix of profit-taking and cautious optimism. As investors await more economic data and clarity on the new administration’s policies, the market could see increased volatility in the coming weeks.


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