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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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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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