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Market Volatility: Stocks Flatten as Powell's Remarks Weigh on Gains

The stock market experienced a turbulent session on Wednesday, ultimately closing near flat after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's comments on monetary policy and inflation concerns. The S&P 500 ended nearly unchanged , giving back earlier gains as investors digested Powell’s remarks on the Fed’s stance regarding interest rates and economic restraint. Powell reiterated that the central bank remains cautious about inflation, particularly in light of tariff-driven price increases expected over the summer. While the Fed signaled that borrowing costs are likely to decline this year, the pace of future rate cuts appears to be slowing.  Following Powell’s speech, U.S. Treasury yields reversed their earlier declines , influencing market sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 43.83 points (0.10%) , while the Nasdaq Composite managed a slight gain of 23.66 points (0.12%).  Investors also kept a close eye on geopolitical developments, particularly tensions in the Midd...

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Trump's Gulf Tour: Seeking Economic Deals Amid Regional Tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump has arrived in Saudi Arabia, kicking off a high-stakes tour of the Gulf region focused on securing major economic agreements. His itinerary includes stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, but notably excludes Israel, signaling a shift in diplomatic priorities.

Trump's visit comes at a time of geopolitical uncertainty, with ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions. However, the primary focus of his trip is economic cooperation, with expectations of multi-billion-dollar investment deals between the U.S. and Gulf nations. Saudi Arabia has already pledged $600 billion in investments in the U.S., with Trump reportedly seeking to increase that figure to $1 trillion.

Accompanied by top American business leaders, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Trump is set to participate in the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum in Riyadh before heading to Qatar and the UAE. His administration is also expected to finalize a significant arms package for Saudi Arabia, further strengthening defense ties between the two nations.

Despite his previous efforts to broker normalization agreements between Israel and Arab states, Trump's current tour appears to sidestep direct engagement with Israeli leadership. Analysts suggest that ongoing tensions in Gaza and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stance on Palestinian statehood may have influenced this decision.

As Trump continues his Gulf tour, the world watches closely to see how his economic and diplomatic strategies will shape U.S. relations in the region.

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