Powell signals no pivot: stocks plunge as rate-cut hopes fade

Jerome Powell's latest remarks triggered a sharp sell-off in US equities. Both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq posted notable losses after the Fed chairman said that interest rates are likely to remain unchanged through year-end. The statement cooled investor expectations for near-term monetary easing.

However, reports of progress in trade negotiations provided some support for futures, suggesting a possible rebound. Follow the link for details.

Trade wars and sanctions: instability becomes new normal

Fresh trade restrictions, including US demands that NVIDIA obtain licenses to export chips to China, fueled renewed market anxiety. As tensions escalated, talk of a potential recession gained traction among investors.

Mounting concerns over the stability of global supply chains and pressure on the tech sector are prompting a reassessment of risk. Market volatility is likely to remain elevated in the coming weeks. Follow the link for details.

Inflation and slowdown as double blow to economy

Powell also flagged the growing risk of stagflation, a scenario in which inflation accelerates while economic growth slows. Markets responded immediately, with all three major US indices (the S&P 500, the Nasdaq Composite, and the Dow Jones) closing in the red.

Still, strong retail sales data helped ease some of the panic, preserving a degree of optimism about consumer demand and real economic activity. Follow the link for details.

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