MONEY MASTER

US markets are set for a weaker open as  geopolitical tensions escalate sharply , following the US decision to impose a  naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz , a key global energy artery. Futures Drop as Risk Sentiment Deteriorates US stock futures declined in early trading: Dow Jones Industrial Average  futures  -0.9% S&P 500 Index  futures  -0.9% Invesco QQQ Trust futures  -1.1% The pullback follows a  strong rally last week , as investors now reassess risks tied to the Middle East conflict. Oil Prices Surge on Supply Disruption Fears Energy markets reacted sharply to the blockade announcement: US crude surged ~8% to US$104.40 per barrel Brent crude rose ~7% to US$102.51 The Strait of Hormuz is a  critical chokepoint , handling roughly  20% of global oil flows , making any disruption a major driver of prices. Blockade Escalates Geopolitical Tensions Donald Trump  confirmed that the US Navy will  blockade all vessels ent...

U.S. equities pulled back Monday, trimming Friday’s  Jackson Hole rally  as traders balanced hopes for Federal Reserve rate cuts with caution ahead of key inflation data. Fed Outlook Chair  Jerome Powell  signaled the Fed may pivot soon, noting that “the balance of risks appears to be shifting” toward a weaker job market restraining inflation. Futures markets : 86% odds of a September cut, up from 73% pre-speech (CME FedWatch). Key risk:  July PCE inflation report  due Friday, the Fed’s preferred gauge, which could test easing bets. Market Moves S&P 500 : lower Nasdaq Composite : lower (−0.6% last week despite Friday’s rebound) Dow Jones Industrial Average : lower Washington Watch Intel precedent may expand : Kevin Hassett, National Economic Council director, suggested the U.S. could take more equity stakes in domestic companies, echoing last week’s  $8.9 billion Intel investment . Trump later confirmed the idea, raising the prospect of further sta...

U.S. stock futures edged lower Monday after last week’s record-setting rally in the  Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI.US) , fueled by Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s dovish signals. Investors are now recalibrating positions ahead of a packed week of corporate earnings. Intel (+5.5% Friday Close; +1.9% Premarket) Catalyst:  U.S. government to invest  $8.9 billion  in Intel shares at  $20.47 each , giving Washington a  9.9% passive stake in the chipmaker. Funded by unpaid  Chips Act grants  ($5.7b) and the  Secure Enclave program  ($3.2b). No board seats or information rights. Intel ended Friday at  $24.80 , up  5.5% , making the U.S. government Intel’s largest shareholder. Investor takeaway:  This move underscores Washington’s push for domestic chip sovereignty, positioning Intel as a strategic national asset. The passive nature of the stake alleviates governance risk but raises questions on long-term government involvement. Fu...

US Treasury yields and the dollar dipped , while the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged to a record high on Friday, as a mild US inflation report boosted expectations for a larger interest rate cut at the Federal Reserve's (Fed) November meeting. The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index , the Fed's preferred measure of inflation, rose just 0.1% in August , down from 0.2% in July, indicating that inflation is moderating. Over the past 12 months, the PCE increased 2.2%, down from 2.5% in July, lifting market sentiment. This fueled expectations for a 50-basis-point interest rate cut at the Fed's upcoming policy meeting, with the probability of such a cut rising to 56.7% from 49.9% prior to the data release, according to the CME's FedWatch Tool. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 137.89 points (0.33%) to close at 42,313.00 , setting a new record, while the S&P 500 dipped 0.13% and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.39% . Despite the slight decli...

  US stocks remained near all-time highs on Tuesday as traders awaited the Federal Reserve's (Fed) crucial rate cut decision, with markets divided on whether the Fed will opt for a 25 or 50 basis-point reduction . The S&P 500 closed relatively unchanged, briefly crossing a record high threshold amid stronger-than-expected US retail sales data. Economically sensitive sectors outperformed technology stocks, while Treasury yields edged higher, led by shorter maturities. Market-implied odds for a 50-basis-point rate cut on Wednesday stood at around 55% . Market observers suggest that investor reaction could be the most critical factor following the Fed's decision. A 25 basis-point cut could leave traders worried that the Fed is behind the curve, while a 50 basis-point move might signal the economy is in worse shape than expected. Investors will be watching Fed Chair Jerome Powell's comments closely for reassurance. According to Bespoke Investment Group , it’s rare fo...

  All three major US stock indices closed higher on Wednesday, with a strong performance from the technology sector compensating for investor disappointment following a morning inflation report. The report diminished hopes that the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates by 50 basis points next week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 124.75 points (0.31%) to 40,861.71, the S&P 500 gained 58.61 points (1.07%) to 5,554.13, and the Nasdaq Composite surged 369.65 points (2.17%) to 17,395.53. The S&P 500 technology index led the charge, finishing up 3.3%, boosted significantly by AI chipmaker Nvidia , which added 8% following reports that the US government might allow exports of advanced chips to Saudi Arabia. This uptick in the tech sector provided essential support to the broader market, despite inflation concerns. Earlier in the day, the Labor Department's consumer price index (CPI) showed a 0.2% rise for August, aligning with July's figure, while the Core CPI ,...

It hasn't been like this for a while but the US stocks saw a surge yesterday and rose across the board, supported by the jump in oil price while rally in Amazon.com just made S&P 500 to reach its best day in two months. Wall Street bullish All three major averages closed about 1.25 percent higher in high volume trade, with the Dow up about 222 points. S&P 500 jumped 1.25 percent to 2,084.39 while Nasdaq Composite added 1.26 percent to 4,809.88. Amazon.com jumped 3.43 percent to a record of $703.07, giving the biggest boost to the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq. All 10 major S&P sectors gained and seven of them were up over 1 percent, led by a 1.75 percent rise in the energy index. Oil rose over 4 percent as supply disruptions in Canada and elsewhere overshadowed fears of oversupply. International stock markets were helped by solid corporate earnings in Europe, progress on Greek debt talks, and a new pledge by Japan that it was prepared to weaken t...

Stocks advanced Monday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising above the 18,000 level for the first time since July, as investors shook off oil’s losses on failed output talks and looked toward a bevy of corporate earnings this week. The index jumped about 100 points to close above 18,000 on Monday. It's a pretty sweet milestone considering the Dow plunged to just 15,451 in January, as Wall Street freaked out over the crash in oil prices and China's economic slowdown. Cooler heads eventually prevailed as investors realized the American economy is not collapsing and cheap oil is actually good for most Americans. The Dow is now up 16.5% from its 2016 low, and is within striking distance of its all-time record high of 18,351 set last May. The S&P 500 also closed at a fresh 2016 high on Monday. Even the Nasdaq is closing in on a key level: The tech index is now down just 1% on the year. That's impressive given the fact the Nasdaq was flirt...

Standard & Poor's 500 Index turns positive for 2016 in the wake of a  dovish Federal Reserve that helped the gauge post its longest weekly winning streak since November. One of the greatest comeback in the history The S&P 500 followed the Dow Jones Industrial Average to advance for the year, after a poor start to the year, with  The Dow jumping by 12% in 24 days through Thursday, boosted by seven separate daily advances exceeding 1%. It's amazing given that 2016 has started with one of the worst performance so far but a stunning comeback with stocks pushing over the top as US Fed signaled a slower pace of interest-rate increase this week. The S&P 500 added 0.4% to 2,049 and is now up 0.3% this year after falling as much as 11%. According to a report from Bloomberg, Friday’s gains were braced by health-care companies, with the group on the way to ending the longest losing streak in two months. Banks were on pace to halt a three-day slide after also lagging...