Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
The S&P 500 slipped 0.1% Wednesday after the Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate steady at 4.25%-4.5%, marking the first double dissent at the central bank since 1993. Fed governors Michelle Bowman and Christopher Waller voted in favor of a 25 basis-point rate cut, underscoring growing divisions over the future of monetary policy.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 171 points, or 0.4%, while the Nasdaq Composite added 0.2%. The Fed’s decision comes amid ongoing pressure from President Trump, who has called for swift rate cuts to stimulate economic growth.
Economic data released earlier in the day showed U.S. GDP expanding 3% in the second quarter, exceeding forecasts of 2.5% and rebounding from a 0.5% contraction in Q1. Private payrolls also jumped by 104,000 in July, following a revised 23,000 drop in June. These figures precede the closely watched nonfarm payrolls report due Friday.
Investor attention is also on corporate earnings, with Meta Platforms and Microsoft reporting after the bell. Nearly 82% of S&P 500 companies have already beaten expectations this season, including Starbucks, Humana, Etsy, and VF Corporation, which all posted stronger-than-expected revenue.
Meanwhile, U.S.-China trade talks in Sweden ended without major breakthroughs, though both sides described the discussions as constructive. Trade tensions remain heightened as the U.S. prepares to impose a 25% tariff on Indian imports beginning August 1, citing its purchases of Russian military equipment and energy.
Market participants are closely watching upcoming economic reports and corporate earnings to gauge the Fed’s next policy steps and assess the impact of escalating trade measures on global growth.
