Money

Stocks surge in May as Fed and jobs data awaited

U.S. stocks rise in May; focus shifts to Fed and jobs report amid strong tech gains and positive inflation data.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 1, 2025

Ahron Young

U.S. stocks rise in May; focus shifts to Fed and jobs report amid strong tech gains and positive inflation data.

In Short:
U.S. stocks ended May positively, with the S&P 500 up 6% mainly due to technology shares, while upcoming economic reports and Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s speech are anticipated to influence market expectations. Key data releases and earnings reports are scheduled throughout the week, with no rate cuts expected until September amid ongoing uncertainties.

U.S. stocks closed May with significant gains, as the S&P 500 rose by approximately 6%, driven mainly by technology and AI shares following Nvidia’s strong performance.

Inflation data showed unexpected improvement, supporting the Federal Reserve’s current policy position. The upcoming week will shift attention to labour market indicators and commentary from the Fed.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell is scheduled to speak on Monday, and the jobs report for May will be released on Friday. This report will offer crucial insights regarding hiring trends, wage pressures, and policy expectations as summer approaches.

Economic events

On June 2, economic events include the ISM Manufacturing PMI and Powell’s speech, along with earnings reports from Campbell Soup, Science Applications, and Credo Tech.

On June 3, the JOLTS Job Openings data will be released, with earnings reported from companies including Dollar General and NIO.

June 4 will feature the ADP Employment Change and the ISM Services PMI, alongside earnings from Dollar Tree and MongoDB, among others.

On June 5, Initial Jobless Claims data is anticipated, with earnings results from Brown-Forman, Lululemon, and others due after hours.

June 6 will see the release of Average Hourly Earnings, Nonfarm Payrolls, and the Unemployment Rate, accompanied by an earnings report from ABM Industries.

Powell’s comments this week may clarify the Fed’s stance, with markets generally expecting no rate cuts until September as uncertainties around tariffs and inflation persist.

Money

Markets ignore Israeli-Iranian conflict but risks remain high

Markets remain optimistic despite the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, raising concerns of potential complacency among investors.

Published

4 hours ago

June 17, 2025

Ahron Young

Markets remain optimistic despite the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, raising concerns of potential complacency among investors.

In Short:
Market analysts warn that global investors are underestimating the conflict between Israel and Iran, despite resilient stock market gains. Analysts highlight the potential for prolonged conflict and significant impacts on energy markets, cautioning against complacency.

Global investors are currently underestimating the potential impact of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, according to market analysts.

Despite four days of escalating fighting, which has resulted in significant casualties, global stock markets have shown resilience. Stocks in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the U.S. have all seen gains, indicating a disconnect between market performance and geopolitical developments.

Investment director Russ Mould highlighted the risk of a broader conflict affecting energy markets. He noted that the situation is complex and the ramifications could extend beyond financial concerns.

Heightened risks

Strategist David Roche suggested the conflict may last longer than typical Israeli responses, posing heightened risks. Torbjorn Soltvedt from Verisk Maplecroft expressed that the current situation resembles an open-ended war, with severe implications for the region and global energy markets.

Energy prices have already reacted to the unrest, with crude oil experiencing significant price fluctuations. Analysts caution that a period of calm might lead markets to mistakenly believe in lasting peace, potentially creating buying opportunities in energy assets.

Conversely, some analysts, like Deutsche Bank’s Jim Reid, maintain a more cautious outlook, noting that retaliatory actions between Iran and Israel have yet to escalate dramatically. He indicated that historical patterns suggest a typical market recovery from such shocks.

Money

Australia’s stalled economy forces businesses to innovate or die

Australia’s economy is slowing with 0.2% GDP growth; experts suggest interest rate cuts, prompting businesses to adapt for growth.

Published

6 days ago

June 11, 2025

Ahron Young

Australia’s economy is slowing with 0.2% GDP growth; experts suggest interest rate cuts, prompting businesses to adapt for growth.

Australia’s economy is slowing fast, with GDP growth at just 0.2% and output per person in decline. Experts are now predicting steep interest rate cuts to avoid recession.

What can businesses do to adapt and grow in this climate? Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#AustralianEconomy #RBA #InterestRates #BusinessStrategy #EconomicNews #GDP #TickerNews #AustraliaFinance

Money

World Bank predicts U.S. growth cut by tariffs

World Bank forecasts U.S. growth halving due to tariffs; global economy also faces significant slowdown, especially in exports.

Published

6 days ago

June 11, 2025

Ahron Young

World Bank forecasts U.S. growth halving due to tariffs; global economy also faces significant slowdown, especially in exports.

In Short:
The World Bank has downgraded U.S. growth projections to 1.4% for 2025 due to President Trump’s tariff policies, warning that increased tariffs could worsen the global economic slowdown. The report highlights a decline in growth for multiple economies, with a particular emphasis on the negative impact on living standards and the need for negotiated trade barriers.

The World Bank has downgraded its growth projections for the U.S. economy, forecasting an increase of just 1.4% in 2025, down from the previous year’s 2.8%. This reduction is attributed to President Trump’s tariff policies, which are anticipated to hamper both U.S. and global growth.

The World Bank’s latest report highlights an expected slowdown in multiple economies, including the eurozone, Japan, and India. Mexico is projected to experience the most significant impact, with growth dropping to 0.2% from 1.5%.

Exacerbate the slowdown

Amid these forecasts, the World Bank warned that a further rise in tariffs could exacerbate the slowdown. If tariffs were raised by an additional 10 percentage points, global growth could plummet to 1.8% this year and 2% in 2026. Such an escalation would lead to reduced trade, declining confidence, and increased market turmoil.

Indermit Gill, the World Bank’s chief economist, noted that if a course correction is not made, the negative effects on living standards could be severe. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has also voiced concerns about the implications of tariffs, predicting a U.S. growth rate of 1.6% with inflation approaching 4%.