Money

S&P 500 slips despite EU trade deal announcement

S&P 500 dips as traders eye busy week ahead, despite EU trade deal and upcoming Fed interest rate decision

Published

7 months ago

July 29, 2025

Ahron Young

S&P 500 dips as traders eye busy week ahead, despite EU trade deal and upcoming Fed interest rate decision

In Short:
– S&P 500 fell 0.1% despite new EU trade deal; traders remain cautious before key Federal Reserve meeting.
– Over 150 companies are set to report earnings this week, with focus on AI spending and job growth.

The S&P 500 declined on Monday, despite a newly announced trade deal with the European Union.

Traders showed limited enthusiasm ahead of a significant week for the markets, which includes the Federal Reserve’s rate decision.

The index fell by 0.1%, having previously reached a record high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 110 points, while the Nasdaq Composite slightly increased. Investors are preparing for a heavy earnings season, with more than 150 companies, including Meta Platforms and Microsoft, expected to report results. Attention will be on comments regarding AI spending.

Market Overview

The Federal Reserve’s two-day policy meeting will conclude on Wednesday. Analysts anticipate that the central bank will maintain interest rates, while also looking for hints about potential future rate cuts. Additionally, Friday’s jobs report is anticipated to show a decrease in job additions for July.

Daniel Skelly from Morgan Stanley raised concerns about investor complacency amidst market highs. President Trump announced a tariff agreement with the EU, reducing rates to 15%.

This week presents significant market events, causing both excitement and apprehension among traders.

Money

U.S. jobs report, Fed decisions, and Japan’s economic risks explained

January US jobs report sparks uncertainty; analysts debate impact on Federal Reserve policy and market confidence.

Published

2 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Harvey Vargas

January US jobs report sparks uncertainty; analysts debate impact on Federal Reserve policy and market confidence.

The January US jobs report shows a mixed picture for the economy, with payroll revisions and steady unemployment leaving analysts questioning the impact on Federal Reserve policy. We break down what the numbers mean for interest rates and market confidence.

US stock markets could face turbulence as investors digest the latest jobs data. David Scutt from StoneX explains how these figures may influence equities and what the outlook is for global markets.

Meanwhile, developments in Japan and a strengthening yen could spark new macroeconomic risks. From carry trades to unexpected shocks, we explore how these factors ripple across the global economy.

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#USJobsReport #FederalReserve #StockMarket #MacroRisks #JapanEconomy #GlobalMarkets #CurrencyTrading #EconomicUpdate

Money

Alphabet launches $20B bond to fund AI expansion

Alphabet’s $20B bond offering highlights investor confidence in AI growth, enabling funding without shareholder dilution.

Published

1 day ago

February 11, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Alphabet’s $20B bond offering highlights investor confidence in AI growth, enabling funding without shareholder dilution.

Alphabet has launched a record $20 billion bond offering to finance its massive AI infrastructure build-out, signalling strong investor confidence in the company’s growth strategy. The oversubscribed sale shows that investors are betting on Alphabet’s AI potential and long-term returns.

By using debt instead of equity, Alphabet can raise funds without diluting shareholders. The money will support AI research, advanced computing, and other strategic projects, cementing the company’s leadership in the sector.

Brad Gastwirth from Circular Technologies explains how corporate debt is reshaping tech financing and how investors perceive AI-linked bonds. This record issuance could set a trend for other tech companies looking to fund innovation.

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Money

AI tax tool sparks market turmoil for financial firms

Major financial firms’ stocks fell sharply after an AI tax tool launch, raising investor fears of disruption in advisory services.

Published

1 day ago

February 11, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Major financial firms’ stocks fell sharply after an AI tax tool launch, raising investor fears of disruption in advisory services.

Shares of major financial services firms tumbled after the launch of a new AI-powered tax planning tool. LPL Financial dropped nearly 11%, while Charles Schwab and Raymond James Financial fell more than 9%, signalling investor concern over AI disrupting traditional advisory services.

Morgan Stanley also saw a 4% decline as fears grow that AI could replace some of the most profitable offerings of established firms. Earlier this year, the introduction of other AI models already caused turbulence in software stocks, suggesting this could be a broader trend affecting multiple sectors.

The iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers and Securities ETF was down 4% on Tuesday, reflecting the market-wide uncertainty surrounding AI adoption in finance. Investors are closely watching whether AI will complement or cannibalise the industry’s core services.

#AIImpact #WallStreet #FinancialMarkets #InvestingNews #MorganStanley #CharlesSchwab #RaymondJames #FinTech