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Wall Street Futures Tick Higher as 2026 Trading Begins

U.S. stock futures moved higher early Friday, signaling a confident start to the first trading session of 2026. The gains follow a strong multi‑year run for equities and come as investors look ahead to a new year of economic and corporate developments. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures edged up, S&P 500 futures posted a modest rise, and Nasdaq futures led the early advance with a stronger uptick. The move reflects continued enthusiasm for technology and growth‑oriented sectors, which helped drive markets through much of the previous year. Despite bouts of volatility in late 2025, major indexes closed the year with solid performance, supported by resilient consumer spending, easing inflation pressures, and expectations of a more accommodative monetary environment. As 2026 begins, traders are watching several themes: the timing and pace of potential interest‑rate cuts, the durability of tech‑sector leadership, and whether gains will broaden across more industries. Early future...
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Inflation Climb Reinforces Fed’s Cautious Stance as Powell Returns to Capitol

 

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is back on Capitol Hill amid new data showing that inflation in the United States jumped to a 3% annual rate in January—slightly higher than December’s 2.9%. The uptick, driven by rising costs in housing, food, and energy, is prompting concerns that the progress on curbing inflation may be stalling.

In his second day of testimony before Congress, Powell reiterated that the Fed is in no rush to lower interest rates. He emphasized that while the overall economy remains robust, the unexpected surge in consumer prices underscores the need for a “wait-and-see” approach. Lawmakers grilled him on various issues ranging from tariff policies to the safety of bank deposits, but Powell maintained that the current monetary policy framework is appropriate given the mixed economic signals.

Market observers noted that the higher-than-expected inflation data might further delay any future rate cuts, as the Fed continues to weigh the risks of reducing policy restraint too quickly. With Powell’s testimony ongoing, all eyes remain on Capitol Hill as policymakers and investors seek clarity on the future direction of U.S. monetary policy.


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