Money

Wall Street rises as AI, Trump tariffs optimism boost

Wall Street rises on AI optimism; Trump’s tariff stance boosts stocks, led by tech and automotive gains.

Published

1 year ago

January 7, 2025

ticker NEWS

Wall Street rises on AI optimism; Trump’s tariff stance boosts stocks, led by tech and automotive gains.

Wall Street’s main indexes increased on Monday, reaching one-week highs mainly due to optimism surrounding AI, which positively impacted semiconductor stocks.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 353.08 points, or 0.83%, to 43,085.21. The S&P 500 gained 74.43 points, or 1.25%, to 6,016.90, while the Nasdaq Composite increased by 343.99 points, or 1.75%, to 19,965.67.

Automakers experienced gains, with Ford rising by 1.6% and General Motors climbing by 4%. This was partly due to reports indicating that President-elect Donald Trump’s administration might take a less aggressive approach to tariffs, focusing only on sectors critical to national security. Nevertheless, Trump refuted this report.

As Trump’s inauguration approaches on January 20, investors are looking for clues about his economic policies, which are expected to benefit corporate America.

The Russell 2000 index, which tracks small-cap companies, rose by 0.9%. Analysts noted Trump’s unpredictable nature but indicated that final outcomes are often less dramatic than initial announcements.

Eight out of the 11 S&P 500 sectors saw advancements, particularly in tech stocks, which increased by 2%. Chipmakers benefitted from Microsoft’s plan to invest $80 billion in AI data centres. Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices, and Micron Technology also experienced positive gains, contributing to a 3.7% rise in the Philadelphia Semiconductor index. U.S. stocks have rebounded sharply after experiencing losses in December and early January.

Money

Australian Dollar surges: What $0.70 means for markets

Australian dollar surges 5% to $0.70, impacting importers, exporters, and big miners amid rising interest rates.

Published

2 days ago

February 18, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Australian dollar surges 5% to $0.70, impacting importers, exporters, and big miners amid rising interest rates.

The Australian dollar has jumped more than 5 percent against the U.S. dollar this year, now trading around $0.70. This rapid rise has sparked mixed reactions for importers and exporters as Australia’s materials sector shows signs of bouncing back, despite concerns over rising interest rates.

Dale Gilham from Wealth Within breaks down the factors behind the AUD surge, the implications for commodities, and what it means for big miners like BHP. From profits to strategy, we explore how the market is reacting to this currency shift.

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#AustralianDollar #AUD #Forex #Investing #Commodities #BHP #Mining #Markets

Money

S&P 500 rises as financial stocks lead and tech slips

S&P 500 rises 0.4% thanks to financial stocks; software struggles amidst AI concerns. Subscribe for updates!

Published

2 days ago

February 18, 2026

Harvey Vargas

S&P 500 rises 0.4% thanks to financial stocks; software struggles amidst AI concerns. Subscribe for updates!

The S&P 500 climbed 0.4% on Tuesday, boosted by strong gains in financial stocks. Citigroup and JPMorgan led the rally, showing investors are rotating money into the sector as tech stocks faltered.

Meanwhile, software shares struggled, with ServiceNow, Autodesk, and Palo Alto Networks all seeing notable declines. Concerns around AI disruption continue to affect the software and financial sectors alike.

Market watchers are now turning their attention to upcoming inflation reports later this week, looking for signals that could shape the next moves in the market.

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Money

Australia’s GST debate heats up amid tax reform push

Australia debates GST expansion amid aging population pressures and personal income tax concerns; expert insights from Dr. Steven Enticott.

Published

3 days ago

February 17, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Australia debates GST expansion amid aging population pressures and personal income tax concerns; expert insights from Dr. Steven Enticott.

Australia is facing a fierce debate over tax reform, with fresh calls to broaden the Goods and Services Tax as the government searches for more stable revenue streams. With an ageing population putting pressure on health, pensions and long-term spending, economists argue the current reliance on personal income tax may not be sustainable.

Dr Steven Enticott from CIA Tax joins Ticker to break down the real impact of expanding the GST, including how it could affect lower-income households, whether taxing unrealised gains would change investor behaviour, and what compensation mechanisms could soften the blow on essential goods. The political risks are high, but so are the fiscal stakes.

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