South Korea’s KOSPI Plunges as Apple Price Hikes and OpenAI IPO Delay Shake AI Chip Stocks 
Trump Requests $11 Billion More in Farm Aid as Rising Costs Pressure U.S. Farmers 
Wall Street Ends Lower as AI Stocks Drag Markets, Fed Rate Outlook Shifts 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
Gold Drops Below $4,000 as Strong US Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Pressure Bullion 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost 
Oil Prices Drop as Strait of Hormuz Shipping Recovers 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
World Bank Approves $1.1 Billion Emergency Funding for Bangladesh Amid Food and Energy Price Pressures 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Australian Household Spending Rebounds Strongly in May as Travel and Dining Drive Consumer Growth 
Gold Prices Fall Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar, Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Bullion 
White House Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Funding for Iran War, Farmers, and Ebola Response 
Asian Markets Rally as Micron and Qualcomm AI Outlook Lifts Global Tech Stocks 
The S&P 500 closed higher Wednesday after President Donald Trump dismissed reports suggesting he was close to firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Trump clarified he had “no plans” to remove Powell, though he criticized the Fed’s handling of interest rates and costly renovations at its headquarters.
At market close, the Dow rose 231 points (0.5%), the S&P 500 added 0.3%, and the Nasdaq hit a record high of 20,730.49.
On the economic front, U.S. wholesale inflation remained flat in June, with the Producer Price Index (PPI) rising 2.3% annually, down from May’s 2.7%, and unchanged month-on-month. This came after Tuesday's data showed consumer prices rose 2.7% annually, beating expectations.
The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, offering anecdotal insights into economic conditions, is expected to underscore ongoing stagflation risks amid trade uncertainty. President Trump announced new tariffs, including 200% on pharmaceutical imports and 19% on Indonesian goods, with more “reciprocal” tariffs potentially hitting by August 1.
Meanwhile, Q2 earnings season is in full swing. Bank of America and Goldman Sachs shares rose on strong trading revenue, while Morgan Stanley slipped despite a profit increase. JPMorgan and Citigroup beat estimates but warned of economic risks tied to trade tensions.
Tesla gained 3% after unveiling plans for a six-seater Model Y this fall. Johnson & Johnson stock climbed following an upgraded sales forecast. Global Payments surged 5% on news of Elliott Management’s investment.
Crypto-related stocks like Circle, Coinbase, and Marathon Digital rallied as optimism grew around pending votes on the GENIUS Act and CLARITY Act, two bills that could significantly expand stablecoin adoption.
