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Geopolitical Tensions Rattle Wall Street as Futures Slide on Trump’s Iran Warning

  Markets tumbled Thursday morning as renewed geopolitical uncertainty sent U.S. stock futures sharply lower, with investors reacting to President Trump’s latest remarks that the war with Iran is “not yet over.”   U.S. stock futures stumbled early Thursday after President Trump’s national address failed to signal a clear end to the ongoing U.S.–Israeli conflict with Iran. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped more than 600 points , while S&P 500 futures fell 1.5% and Nasdaq 100 futures slid 2% , reflecting heightened investor anxiety.  The market’s reaction was driven largely by Trump’s assertion that the conflict is not yet resolved, despite reports that Iran’s president has approached the U.S. about a potential ceasefire. Trump emphasized that any agreement would depend on reopening the Strait of Hormuz , a critical global energy chokepoint. He also warned that U.S. forces would “hit Iran hard” before any withdrawal in the coming weeks.  ...

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Federal Reserve Signals Slower Rate Cuts Amid Economic Uncertainty

 

The Federal Reserve is poised to announce a quarter-point rate cut on Wednesday, reducing its benchmark rate from 4.6% to approximately 4.3%. This move follows a half-point cut in September and a quarter-point reduction in November. However, Fed officials are signaling a slower pace of rate cuts in 2025, with expectations of only two or three reductions compared to the four previously anticipated.

The central bank's policymakers are recalibrating their approach as inflation has significantly decreased from its peak of 7.2% in June 2022 to 2.3% in October. Despite this progress, inflation remains above the Fed's 2% target, and the economy continues to grow robustly. Fed Chair Jerome Powell has emphasized the need for caution as the benchmark rate approaches a "neutral" level that neither stimulates nor hinders economic growth.

The upcoming presidential administration's proposed economic policies, including potential tariffs and tax cuts, add to the uncertainty surrounding future rate decisions. As a result, Americans may see only slight relief from high borrowing costs in the near future.




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