2025-02-13 19:36:03Stocks in the US advanced on Thursday as updates on US tariff plans helped alleviate concerns over inflation and global trade tensions, brushing off hotter-than-expected inflation data. The S&P 500 climbed 1%, the Nasdaq 100 gained 1.3%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged over 350 points, or 0.7%. President Trump signed a memorandum to review reciprocal tariffs on foreign nations but stopped short of imposing any levies. He also hinted at potential additional tariffs, including on auto imports. The producer price index (PPI) rose 0.4% in January, surpassing forecasts, but key components feeding into the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, indicated easing price pressures. Big tech led the rally, with Tesla soaring more than 4%, Nvidia rising 3%, and Apple advancing 2.1% after CEO Tim Cook teased an upcoming product launch.
2025-02-12 13:46:05The euro weakened toward the $1.03 mark as investors flocked to the USD following a stronger-than-expected US CPI report. The data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will maintain a cautious stance on rate cuts, in contrast to the European Central Bank’s more accommodative policy. US consumer prices rose by 0.5% in January, the most since August 2023 and above expectations of a 0.3% advance. The year-on-year rate unexpectedly rose to 3% from December's 2.9%. Investors also kept a close watch on the latest US-EU trade tensions, as the European Union vowed to retaliate against US tariffs on European steel and aluminum. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the tariffs as "unjustified" and pledged firm countermeasures, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned that Europe would respond "within an hour" if the measures were enforced.