[Editorial Cartoon] “Tariff Chicken Game” – U.S. and China Speed Toward Economic Catastrophe 
Asian Stocks Slip as AI Rally Fades, Oil Holds Steady on Iran Peace Deal Hopes 
Oil Prices Surge Amid U.S. Sanctions on Russian Crude Exports 
US Job Growth Seen Picking Up in July 
Tech Stocks Surge in Asia; Experts Warn ‘Cooling AI Boom May Hit NVIDIA’s Gains Hard’ 
Bitcoin Whales Acquire $4.3B in BTC Amid Market Decline, Signaling Potential Bottom 
Global Currencies Stabilize as U.S. Tariff Uncertainty Persists 
Australia Trade Surplus Returns in June as Iron Ore, Coal and LNG Exports Surge 
Brazil Cuts Selic Rate to 14% as Inflation Eases but Risks Persist 
Gold Prices Set to Hit New Highs in 2025 Amid Market Volatility 
Key Date for Tariff Policy Changes 
Gold Prices Steady as Hormuz Tensions Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await U.S. Jobs Data 
Asian Stocks Mixed as Chip Selloff Hits KOSPI, Nikkei Ahead of US Jobs Data 
Teladoc Shares Rise on Amazon Collaboration for Health Programs 
UK Services PMI Returns to Growth in July as New Orders and Confidence Rebound 
Apple Surpasses Microsoft to Reclaim Title as World's Most Valuable Company 
The S&P 500 closed marginally higher on Wednesday, supported by tech stocks rebounding from earlier losses as Treasury yields steadied. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 94 points (0.2%), the S&P 500 gained 0.1%, and the NASDAQ slipped 0.1%.
Minutes from the Federal Reserve's December meeting revealed a slower pace of rate cuts ahead due to concerns over stalling disinflation. Policymakers emphasized caution, noting slower progress toward the 2% inflation target. Meanwhile, Fed Governor Christopher Waller supported further cuts, expecting continued inflation declines, stabilizing Treasury yields after a recent surge.
Tech stocks ended above session lows, though major players like Apple, Alphabet, and Meta closed in the red. NVIDIA hovered near flat, while Palantir dropped further, extending a 16% decline since its peak last month.
Employment data highlighted labor market strength. Initial unemployment claims dropped to 201,000, the lowest since February, while private payrolls rose by 122,000 in December, signaling resilience despite sticky inflation. These indicators fueled speculation that the Fed may delay additional rate cuts in 2025.
In the corporate sector, Exxon Mobil slid 1.7% after warning of a $1.75 billion hit to Q4 earnings due to weaker refining profits. Shell also dropped 1.9%, citing a $1.3 billion charge related to permits and weaker integrated gas earnings.
Investors await Fed commentary and the upcoming US employment report for further clarity on economic and policy trends.
