Category: Market News

U.S. stocks closed slightly lower on Wednesday, breaking a three-day winning streak, as fading enthusiasm over a U.S.-China trade deal outweighed relief from cooling inflation, which had boosted hopes for interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.

By 4:00 p.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped just 1 point, while the S&P 500 fell 0.2%, and the NASDAQ Composite dropped 0.5%.

Trade Deal Hype Cools Despite Trump’s Announcement

President Trump confirmed that a trade agreement with China was finalized “in principle” following two days of intensive negotiations in London. On his Truth Social platform, Trump declared the deal “done,” pending final approval from both himself and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“Our deal with China is done, subject to final approval with President Xi and me,” Trump posted, highlighting positive relations between the two leaders.

Key aspects of the agreement reportedly include U.S. access to Chinese rare earth minerals and magnets—resources American negotiators had prioritized. In return, Chinese students will continue to have access to U.S. universities.

Trump also stated that tariffs on Chinese goods will reach 55%, while Chinese tariffs on U.S. products will be set at 10%. However, the lack of detailed terms has left investors wary, especially after previous deals like the Geneva Agreement failed to hold long-term.

Rising Geopolitical Tensions

On the geopolitical front, the U.S. is preparing to partially evacuate its embassy in Iraq and authorize military families to leave several Middle East locations due to unspecified security concerns, according to Reuters.

This development follows renewed U.S. threats to strike Iran if nuclear negotiations collapse, adding further uncertainty to the global political landscape.

Inflation Eases in May

Inflation showed signs of easing in May, even amid ongoing concerns about the inflationary effects of tariffs. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.4% year-over-year, slightly below expectations of 2.5%, and up modestly from April’s 2.3%.

Month-over-month, prices increased just 0.1%, slower than the anticipated 0.2%. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, remained steady at 2.8% annually and slowed to 0.1% monthly—both readings came in below forecasts.

The cooler inflation data led traders to increase bets on a Fed rate cut in September, with futures pricing in nearly a 70% chance—up from 57% earlier in the week. Still, some analysts warned that inflation could rebound due to recent tariff hikes.

“Despite the subdued figures, we expect year-over-year core inflation to remain elevated through year-end, possibly rising as recent tariff effects filter through,” analysts at Macquarie noted.

Corporate Earnings in Focus

On the corporate earnings front:

• Chewy (NYSE: CHWY) shares dropped after the online pet retailer reported better-than-expected first-quarter sales but missed on profit.
• Victoria’s Secret (NYSE: VSCO) saw its stock rise as the company reaffirmed its full-year sales outlook and beat earnings expectations, despite lowering its 2025 adjusted operating income forecast.

The spotlight, however, remains on Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), which is set to report earnings after the market close. CEO Safra Catz has previously laid out strong growth expectations, driven by rising demand for AI-powered cloud services—a central part of Oracle’s strategy.

Investors will also be watching Oracle’s cash flow closely. Analysts at Vital Knowledge expect around $3 billion in free cash flow and $3.8 billion in capital expenditures, amid concerns about the company’s aggressive investment plans.

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Stock futures in the U.S. are pointing to a higher opening on Wednesday, continuing the positive momentum from Tuesday. The market is reacting to a new government report showing inflation rose slightly less than expected in May.

According to the U.S. Labor Department, consumer prices went up just 0.1% last month, compared to a 0.2% increase in April. Economists had predicted a 0.2% rise again. On a yearly basis, prices increased by 2.4%, which is a little more than in April (2.3%) but still less than the 2.5% experts expected.

When excluding food and energy (which can be very volatile), prices also rose 0.1% in May. The yearly increase in core inflation stayed the same at 2.8%, again lower than the 2.9% forecast.

Trade Deal Progress Supports Markets

Markets were also boosted by news that the U.S. and China have agreed on a basic framework to ease trade tensions after talks in London. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said both sides agreed to relax some export restrictions, but the deal still needs approval from President Joe Biden and China’s President Xi Jinping.

Former President Donald Trump commented on Truth Social that China would supply key materials like rare earth metals and that the U.S. would keep 55% tariffs while China would get 10%. He said the relationship is “excellent.”

Tuesday Market Recap

On Tuesday, U.S. stocks ended slightly higher as investors watched for news from the trade talks. The Dow rose 105 points to close at 42,866.87, the Nasdaq gained 123.75 points to finish at 19,714.99, and the S&P 500 increased by 32.93 points to end at 6,038.81.

Small Business Optimism Improves

A report from the National Federation of Independent Business showed that small business confidence rose to 98.8 in May, the highest in three months, beating expectations of 95.9.

Looking Ahead

Investors are now waiting for more important data, especially on inflation and crude oil supplies. The U.S. Energy Information Administration will report on oil stockpiles later today, and the Treasury will auction $39 billion in 10-year bonds.

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Markets Around the World

Europe

European markets were slightly up on Wednesday as investors reacted to positive news from U.S.-China trade talks. Germany’s DAX rose 0.5%, the U.K.’s FTSE 100 gained 0.3%, and France’s CAC 40 added 0.1%.

Some British homebuilding stocks rose before a public spending announcement, but Ibstock fell 14% due to profit margin concerns. Fashion retailer Inditex (owner of Zara) dropped 4.3% after weak quarterly sales. Engineering firm Ricardo jumped 25% after a Canadian company agreed to buy it.

Asia

Asian markets also rose as hopes grew around the U.S.-China trade agreement. However, gains were limited as investors waited for the U.S. inflation data.

China’s main stock index rose 0.5%, helped by auto companies. Hong Kong’s market gained 0.8%, led by electric vehicle and tech stocks.

Japan’s market climbed 0.6% after wholesale inflation slowed, reducing pressure on the central bank to raise interest rates. South Korea’s stock market hit its highest level in over three years after the government announced plans to make the market more attractive. Strong performances from tech firms like SK Hynix and Hyundai Mobis helped push the market up 1.2%.

Australia’s stock market closed slightly higher at a four-month high, while New Zealand’s index rose 0.3%.

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Commodities and Currencies

Oil prices are up $1.09 to $66.07 per barrel after falling slightly the previous day. Gold rose $37.90 to $3,381.30 an ounce, bouncing back after Tuesday’s drop.

The U.S. dollar slipped slightly against the Japanese yen, now at 144.51 yen compared to 144.87 yesterday. Against the euro, the dollar weakened slightly to $1.1470 from $1.1425.

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U.S. stocks ended Tuesday on a positive note, driven by renewed optimism surrounding the ongoing trade discussions between the United States and China. The S&P 500 rose 0.3%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 31 points (0.1%), and the NASDAQ Composite also gained 0.3%.

Positive Momentum in US-China Trade Talks

Investor sentiment was lifted after U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick reported encouraging developments during the second day of trade negotiations with China. “Talks are going well,” Lutnick said, noting that discussions could extend into Wednesday if needed. “I hope they end this evening, but if they need to, we’ll be here tomorrow.”

The talks follow a recent agreement between the two nations to ease tariffs introduced during the protracted trade conflict. Current discussions are believed to center around sensitive issues such as China’s restrictions on rare earth exports and the U.S.’s limitations on chip sales to Chinese firms—both of which have implications for global supply chains.

Despite optimism, analysts at Capital Economics advised caution, suggesting that while a breakthrough could stabilize markets, a dramatic shift is unlikely. “We wouldn’t bank on a big turnaround,” the firm noted, emphasizing that domestic policies, rather than tariffs alone, play a more significant role in driving Chinese equities. They added that any relief rally would likely be tempered, as the U.S. is unlikely to fully retreat from its trade stance.

All Eyes on Upcoming Inflation Data

With limited economic data released Tuesday, investor focus is shifting toward Wednesday’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) report. Economists expect inflation to show an uptick, partly due to higher import prices stemming from tariff impacts. The inflation data could influence the Federal Reserve’s future interest rate decisions.

Strategists at Citi forecast the Fed will maintain its current rate range of 4.25% to 4.5% through its June and July meetings. However, they expect the central bank to begin easing in September, with 25-basis-point cuts at each meeting through March 2026, totaling 125 basis points in reductions. “The Fed is on hold, but cuts are still coming,” Citi wrote in a client note.

Apple Gains Slightly Despite Muted AI Announcements

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) closed modestly higher following its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, where it unveiled new artificial intelligence features including live phone call translations. However, the announcements were perceived as underwhelming by investors anticipating more ambitious advancements in the AI space.

Earnings Movers: Smucker, Designer Brands, TSMC, McDonald’s

Elsewhere, The J.M. Smucker Company (NYSE: SJM) saw its shares tumble after missing earnings expectations, citing a “dynamic and evolving external environment” influenced by trade tensions.

Footwear retailer Designer Brands (NYSE: DBI) also slumped after falling short on first-quarter earnings and retracting its full-year outlook due to ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty.

In semiconductors, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE: TSM) surged 4% after posting a nearly 40% year-over-year revenue jump in May.

Meanwhile, McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE: MCD) dropped over 1% after Redburn Atlantic issued a double downgrade to “sell,” citing concerns over declining foot traffic and the potential impact of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs on consumer behavior.

Major U.S. stock index futures suggest a flat opening on Tuesday, with markets likely to remain volatile following a mixed performance in the previous session. Investors appear hesitant to make bold moves as they await developments from ongoing U.S.-China trade talks.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressed optimism, stating that the negotiations are “going well” and are expected to continue throughout the day.

In the absence of significant U.S. economic data, traders are looking ahead to upcoming reports on consumer and producer price inflation for further insights into the economic outlook.

Wall Street Recap: Mixed Trading on Monday
Following Friday’s strong rally, Monday’s trading session saw a subdued performance, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq hitting a new three-month high despite overall market uncertainty.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped slightly by 1.11 points to close at 42,761.76, while the S&P 500 added 5.52 points to finish at 6,005.88. The Nasdaq rose 61.28 points, closing at 19,591.24.

The cautious trading came as markets awaited updates from U.S.-China trade discussions in London. Vice Premier He Lifeng represented China, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Lutnick, and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer led the U.S. delegation.

Key Sector Movements
Semiconductor stocks led the day’s gains, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index climbing 2% to a three-month high. Computer hardware stocks also performed well, with the NYSE Arca Computer Hardware Index advancing 1.2%.

Meanwhile, oil service, telecom, and networking stocks showed strength, while utilities lagged behind.

U.S. Economic Calendar
Later today, the Treasury Department will release the results of its $58 billion auction of three-year notes at 1 p.m. ET.

European Markets
European stocks mostly traded lower on Tuesday as U.S.-China trade talks entered their second day.

The STOXX 600 Index declined 0.3%, while Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 fell 0.4% and 0.1%, respectively. In contrast, the U.K.’s FTSE 100 gained 0.5%.

Notable market moves included FirstGroup surging over 7% after announcing a £50 million share buyback and Bellway rising 4.6% on an upbeat revenue forecast. However, defense stocks such as Saab AB and Renk Group AG saw declines, and Barclays slid 1% amid reports of upcoming job cuts.

Asian Markets
Asian markets posted gains on Tuesday, buoyed by positive sentiment from the U.S.-China trade negotiations. However, caution persisted ahead of key U.S. inflation data and the Federal Reserve’s upcoming interest rate decision.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.3%, extending its winning streak to three sessions, while South Korea’s Kospi climbed 0.6% on strong performance in defense and shipbuilding stocks. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 hit a record high, advancing 0.8%.

China’s Shanghai Composite Index edged down 0.4%, reflecting tensions over technology and rare earth shipments. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index also closed slightly lower.

Commodities and Currencies
Crude oil prices continued their upward trajectory, with futures climbing $0.43 to $65.72 per barrel. Gold futures also edged higher by $2.90 to $3,357.80 per ounce.

In currency markets, the U.S. dollar traded at 144.52 yen, slightly lower than Monday’s close of 144.57 yen, while gaining modestly against the euro at $1.1429.

Spectris PLC announced on Monday that it has received a conditional acquisition proposal from private equity firm Advent International LP.

The London-based company, known for its high-tech instruments, testing equipment, and software, stated that the offer includes 3,735 pence in cash per share, along with a proposed interim dividend of 28 pence per share.

As news of the bid broke, Spectris shares jumped 66%, reaching 3,392.00 pence in London trading on Monday afternoon. This surge placed the company’s market capitalization at approximately £3.40 billion. Advent’s proposal values Spectris’ equity at over £3.7 billion, translating to an enterprise valuation of £4.4 billion when factoring in debt.

The proposed dividend would align with Spectris’ current payout schedule. The offer was submitted by Advent International Ltd, acting in an advisory capacity to Advent International LP.

Spectris’ board stated that if a firm offer materializes, “the board has carefully evaluated the proposal with its advisers and determined that the proposed value is one they would unanimously recommend to shareholders.”

Advent International has until July 7 to present a definitive offer. Spectris emphasized that there is no guarantee a firm offer will be made.

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Robinhood shares fell over 3% in premarket trading, landing at $72.44, following the announcement that the company was not included in the S&P 500 Index rebalance. This decision defied widespread speculation that Robinhood might secure a spot in the index, especially after months of strong performance and optimism fueled by analysts. Bank of America had notably cited Robinhood as a top contender for inclusion, further boosting investor expectations.

The S&P 500 rebalance, a key event organized by S&P Dow Jones Indices, typically drives significant market activity as passive funds adjust their portfolios. While many companies benefit from the increased liquidity and market recognition that inclusion brings, Robinhood missed this opportunity, leaving investors to recalibrate their outlook.

Robinhood’s exclusion stands in stark contrast to the recent success of Coinbase Global Inc., which saw its shares soar nearly 25% after being added to the index last month. S&P 500 inclusion often attracts interest from index-tracking funds, enhancing a company’s market presence and liquidity. For Robinhood, however, this setback arrives amid an otherwise stellar year, with its stock price doubling in 2025 thanks to a broader market recovery and sustained retail investing enthusiasm.

Despite last Friday’s 3.3% rally and a weekly gain exceeding 13%, the news of exclusion has dampened investor sentiment. The broader implications for Robinhood include potential limitations on institutional investment and slower momentum for its growth trajectory. These concerns are reflected in the morning’s share price dip and could influence trading dynamics in the near term.

Robinhood’s journey this year highlights both its potential and its vulnerability. While missing the S&P 500 rebalance is a setback, the company’s ability to double its value within a year underscores its resilience and appeal to retail investors. As market watchers look ahead, Robinhood’s performance and any future opportunities for index inclusion will remain under close scrutiny, shaping expectations for its long-term growth and market position.

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The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has unveiled a partnership with Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) to create a secure testing environment for financial institutions exploring artificial intelligence (AI) applications. This initiative, named the “Supercharged Sandbox,” is designed to foster innovation while addressing regulatory challenges.

A Platform for AI Innovation

The program will provide participating banks and financial firms with Nvidia’s advanced computing platforms and AI software, alongside regulatory oversight and technical support. Applications for participation are open, with trials set to commence in October.

“This collaboration supports firms looking to explore AI but lacking the resources to do so,” said Jessica Rusu, the FCA’s chief data, intelligence, and information officer. “It’s about leveraging AI to benefit markets, consumers, and the economy.”

While the UK boasts homegrown AI tech firms like Arm Holdings and Graphcore, the FCA’s choice of Nvidia underscores the US company’s dominance in AI infrastructure.

Navigating AI Challenges in Finance

Banks have faced hurdles in adopting AI, including concerns over data security, fraud risks, and compliance. The sandbox aims to alleviate these challenges by offering a controlled environment to test AI applications, particularly for institutions in the early stages of AI exploration.

Dr. Jochen Papenbrock, Nvidia’s EMEA head of financial technology, noted, “AI is transforming finance by automating processes, enhancing data analysis, and improving decision-making.”

The sandbox expands upon digital infrastructure from NayaOne, with computational resources tailored for AI innovation. It complements an existing live testing service for firms with more mature AI projects.

Nvidia’s Role in AI Revolution

Nvidia’s partnership with the FCA highlights its leadership in the AI sector. The company reported record revenue of $44 billion in Q1 2025, driven largely by surging demand for AI infrastructure.

“AI inference token generation has increased tenfold in a year,” said Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. “As AI agents become mainstream, demand for AI computing will accelerate.”

Supporting Economic Growth

The sandbox aligns with UK government goals to stimulate economic growth through technology. It also integrates with the FCA’s broader AI regulatory framework, which emphasizes using existing rules rather than creating new, AI-specific regulations.

By addressing risks and fostering innovation, the FCA’s initiative marks a significant step forward in integrating AI into the financial sector while ensuring safety and compliance.

Empire Metals Ltd (AIM:EEE, OTCQB:EPMLF) has announced the successful production of a high-purity titanium dioxide (TiO₂) product, achieving an impressive assay result of 99.25% TiO₂.

This breakthrough is part of ongoing efforts to optimize the technical design of the Pitfield project. The high-grade product was developed using concentrates derived from Pitfield through conventional beneficiation, leaching, and refining processes. The final product exhibited undetectable or extremely low impurity levels.

“We have achieved an extraordinary outcome from our recent product development testwork, delivering a high-grade, high-purity TiO₂ product ideal for titanium sponge metal or premium TiO₂ pigment production,” said managing director Shaun Bunn.

He praised the technical team’s rapid progress, emphasizing that this milestone showcases the efficiency of their processing methods and the significant potential value of the product.

Empire is now advancing its product development and testing, leveraging around 70 tonnes of bulk sample material collected earlier this year.

“We are poised to scale up testwork significantly, creating a variety of product samples for potential downstream end-users,” Bunn added.

Follow Empire Metals on ADVFN Share Chat  

European stocks opened lower on Monday, influenced by cautious investor sentiment ahead of critical trade talks between the US and China. While European indices saw declines, particularly the FTSE 100 and DAX 40, Asian markets performed strongly with positive gains. The meeting in London aims to address ongoing trade tensions, with optimism expressed by analysts and officials. Additionally, significant movements in individual stocks and commodities were also reported.

European stocks opened rather hesitantly on Monday, despite a notably positive trade environment in Asia. Investors seem to be cautious as they await the expected trade discussions between the United States and China. The FTSE 100 index slightly dipped, losing 3.04 points to settle at 8,834.87. Meanwhile, the FTSE 250 saw a bit of a decline, down 19.09 points, or 0.1%, at 21,138.19. The AIM All-Share, on the other hand, posted a modest gain, increasing 4.24 points, or 0.6%, to 761.12.

Looking at some other indices: the Cboe UK 100 edged up, now at 879.15, and the Cboe UK 250 also increased by 0.1%, reaching 18,634.23. The Cboe Small Companies index climbed 0.2%, resting at 16,934.02. In European trading, the CAC 40 in Paris dipped 0.2%, while Germany’s DAX 40 suffered a 0.6% decline. This economic climate in Europe definitely contrasts with the buoyancy seen in Asia and New York at the end of last week.

Asian markets presented a different picture. In Tokyo, for instance, the Nikkei 225 surged by 0.9%. Over in China, the Shanghai Composite gained 0.4%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index jumped by 1.4%. As for New York’s performance last Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up by 1.1%, the S&P 500 gained 1.0%, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.2%.

Analysts from ING commented on the overall market sentiment. They described it as a “glass-half-full view of the world right now,” adding that today’s trade talks between the US and China should maintain a calm risk environment. In currency trading early Monday, sterling strengthened against the dollar, moving up to USD 1.3565 from USD 1.3522 at Friday’s close. The euro climbed to USD 1.1426, while the dollar slipped against the yen to JPY 144.19.

Today marks a key moment as US and Chinese officials gather in London for trade negotiations following previous discussions in Geneva last month. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are heading the US team, as confirmed by President Donald Trump on Friday. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will also lead the negotiations for China, as announced by the foreign ministry over the weekend.

Reports indicate that the meeting has high expectations. Trump asserted on his Truth Social platform that “the meeting should go very well.” Analysts at ING also expressed their optimism, noting that both parties likely would not engage in talks if they were unable to reach an agreement. As for US Treasury yields, the 10-year experienced a slight increase to 4.49%, while the 30-year also ticked up to 4.97% this morning.

In China, new consumer price data paints a mixed picture. The consumer price index showed a decrease for four consecutive months, now down 0.1% year-on-year for May. Though this aligned with April’s decline, it fared better than the 0.2% dip projected by economists in a Bloomberg survey.

In the FTSE 100, there were some notable movers. M&G shares rallied by 1.6%, becoming the best performer early on after UBS upgraded it to ‘buy’. Conversely, WPP’s shares dropped by 2.0% on news that CEO Mark Read will depart at year’s end. Meanwhile, Dunelm experienced a 4.0% decline after RBC lowered its recommendation. However, Alphawave shares soared by 22% after Qualcomm announced a USD 2.4 billion takeover bid, representing a significant premium over previous prices.

Also making headlines was Revolution Beauty, which saw its shares climb by 19%. The company confirmed that Frasers Group is one of several parties interested in a potential acquisition, although it stressed that a formal offer is not guaranteed. Reports last weekend detailed Frasers’ interest but with no assurance of an offer. In other markets, a barrel of Brent crude oil edged down to USD 66.08, while gold slightly decreased to USD 3,324.44 an ounce.