Global markets tumbled Friday after weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs data heightened recession concerns and boosted expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut in September. MSCI’s global equities index fell 1.32% to 917.39, its sharpest drop since mid-April, while the dollar and Treasury yields slid amid economic uncertainty and political turmoil.
The U.S. Labor Department reported only 73,000 nonfarm payroll additions in July, far below forecasts of 110,000. June’s figures were revised sharply down to 14,000 from 147,000. Following the report, President Donald Trump ordered the dismissal of Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, a Biden appointee, sparking investor concerns over data integrity. Anxiety deepened as Fed Governor Adriana Kugler announced her early resignation, further fueling volatility in currency and bond markets.
CME’s FedWatch tool showed traders pricing an 87.5% chance of a September rate cut, up from 37.7% the previous day. The dollar index fell 1.37% to 98.66, with the euro climbing to $1.1589 and the yen strengthening to 147.32. U.S. 10-year Treasury yields plunged 14 basis points to 4.22%.
Wall Street mirrored the global sell-off: the Dow Jones dropped 542 points, the S&P 500 fell 1.6%, and the Nasdaq lost 2.24%, its steepest decline since April. Amazon shares sank over 8% after disappointing cloud growth figures.
Adding pressure, Trump announced new tariffs up to 41% on imports from Canada, India, Taiwan, Thailand, and South Korea, with Mexico receiving a temporary reprieve.
Oil prices fell nearly 3% on demand fears and possible OPEC output increases, while gold surged 2% to $3,360 per ounce as investors sought safety amid mounting economic and geopolitical uncertainty.


U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated
Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 



