U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
The Nasdaq Composite closed at a record high Friday, boosted by Microsoft and Tesla as Wall Street awaited the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting next week. Investors widely expect the Fed to cut interest rates by 25 basis points to counter a cooling labor market and easing inflation.
Microsoft gained 1.8% after avoiding a hefty EU antitrust fine by offering reduced prices for Office without Teams. Tesla surged 7.4% after board chair Robyn Denholm dismissed concerns that CEO Elon Musk’s political activity hurt sales, emphasizing Musk’s active role at the company. Despite the rebound, Tesla shares remain down 2% in 2025.
The Nasdaq rose 0.45% to 22,141.10, while the S&P 500 slipped 0.05% to 6,584.29. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.59% to 45,834.22. Declines in Goldman Sachs and Sherwin-Williams weighed on the Dow, while healthcare and materials led losses across seven of 11 S&P sectors.
The University of Michigan’s survey showed U.S. consumer sentiment dropped for a second month in September, reflecting concerns about inflation, jobs, and business conditions. Futures markets now anticipate total rate cuts of 75 basis points by year-end.
For the week, the S&P 500 rose 1.6%, the Dow gained nearly 1%, and the Nasdaq advanced 2%, supported by a resurgence in artificial intelligence stocks after Oracle’s upbeat forecast. Warner Bros Discovery jumped 17% following reports of a potential takeover bid from Paramount Skydance.
Vaccine makers struggled, with Moderna dropping 7.4% and Pfizer and Novavax losing over 3% after reports linked COVID-19 vaccines to child fatalities.
Overall, declining S&P 500 stocks outnumbered advancers 3.3 to 1. The index posted 22 new highs versus 3 new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 106 new highs and 43 new lows.
