Money

Trump policies impact Fed’s interest rates and markets

Trump’s policies prompt Fed caution as U.S. job growth slows; European leaders boost defense spending amid Ukraine aid uncertainty.

Published

12 months ago

March 10, 2025

Ahron Young

Trump’s policies prompt Fed caution as U.S. job growth slows; European leaders boost defense spending amid Ukraine aid uncertainty.

In Short

The U.S. jobs report for February showed a slower growth with 151,000 jobs added, indicating potential economic downturns due to upcoming layoffs. Meanwhile, mixed results in Asian markets reflect China’s deflation and European leaders push for increased defence spending amid geopolitical tensions.

The recent U.S. nonfarm payrolls report for February showed a weaker than expected job increase, with 151,000 jobs added, slightly higher than January’s figures but below forecasts. This may indicate a downturn, as recent layoffs from federal agencies will reflect in the following month’s report.

Tesla shares have experienced a significant decline over seven consecutive weeks, coinciding with CEO Elon Musk’s activities in Washington. This marks the company’s longest losing streak since going public.

Economic policy

Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve is adopting a cautious approach in response to the changes in economic policy under President Donald Trump. Fed Chair Jerome Powell stated the bank is focused on distinguishing relevant economic signals from noise, suggesting that a decision on interest rates may not be immediate.

In Asia, markets have seen mixed results, with Japan experiencing slight gains, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropped following deflationary signals from China. China’s consumer price index fell by 0.7%, the first time in over a year that inflation was negative.

Investors are keeping a close watch on upcoming inflation readings and consumer sentiment indexes to gain a clearer view of the economic landscape. Amidst geopolitical tensions, European leaders are advocating for increased defense spending to strengthen support for Ukraine, in light of the uncertainty surrounding U.S. assistance. The EU’s proposed plan aims to enhance defense capabilities while mobilising substantial funding for collective efforts.

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Ahron Young

Ahron Young is an award winning journalist who has covered major news events around the world. Ahron is the Managing Editor and Founder of TICKER NEWS.

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

1 day 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

1 day 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

2 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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