Articles in this Cluster
30-05-2025
Asia-Pacific stocks fell Friday amid U.S. economic worries, inflation concerns, and uncertainty over U.S. President Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs after a court vacated them, an appeals court reinstated them, and the administration signaled a potential Supreme Court appeal. Trade talks with China are reportedly stalled.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 1.37% (Topix -0.52%) as data showed Tokyo core inflation rose to 3.6% in May, the fastest since January 2023; unemployment held at 2.5%. South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.72% with April industrial production down 0.9% m/m and retail sales declining 0.9% m/m. China’s CSI 300 slipped 0.33%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 1.48% (Hang Seng Tech -2.55%) on tariff headlines. India traded flat-to-lower; Australia’s ASX 200 was flat. Spot gold fell 0.71% amid trade uncertainty.
In the U.S., futures were little changed after Thursday’s gains: S&P 500 +0.4% (boosted by Nvidia), Nasdaq +0.39%, Dow +0.28%, with advances capped by tariff-related caution.
Entities: Asia-Pacific stocks, Nikkei 225, Tokyo core inflation, U.S. President Trump, reciprocal tariffs • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
30-05-2025
European stocks inched higher Friday, with the Stoxx 600 up 0.1% after two days of losses. Gains were mixed across sectors; oil and gas, healthcare and utilities outperformed. Germany’s DAX led major bourses intraday and looked set to break a two-day slide. M&G jumped about 5% after Japan’s Dai-ichi Life agreed to buy a 15% stake and form a strategic partnership expected to channel at least $6 billion to M&G over five years.
Markets were buffeted by U.S. policy uncertainty: a court fight over President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, renewed U.S.-China trade tensions after Trump accused Beijing of violating a preliminary deal, and worries around proposed U.S. foreign tax changes (Section 899). EU officials warned the tariff rulings add uncertainty but stressed commitment to a negotiated deal.
Macro data showed Germany’s harmonized inflation easing to 2.1% in May, slightly above forecasts, while U.S. PCE inflation in April came in at 2.1% headline and 2.5% core year-on-year, both a touch cooler than expected on an annual basis. Upcoming focal points include euro zone inflation, the ECB meeting, and the SuperReturn private equity conference in Berlin.
Entities: Stoxx Europe 600, FTSE 100, DAX, M&G, Dai-ichi Life • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
30-05-2025
U.S. stock futures edged lower Thursday night as trade-policy uncertainty persisted after a court temporarily halted most of President Trump’s tariffs before granting a stay that keeps them in place until next week. Despite the volatility, May is set to close strong: S&P 500 +6% MTD, Nasdaq +10%, Dow +4%; weekly gains also solid (S&P +2%, Nasdaq +2.3%, Dow +1.4%). After hours, Gap sank on weak Q2 outlook, Ulta jumped on strong Q1, and Dell rose on revenue beat and higher guidance; Costco beat but shares were little changed. Investor sentiment turned more bearish per AAII, with tariffs, the economy, and inflation cited as top concerns. Markets await Friday’s PCE inflation report, with expectations for headline ~2.2% y/y and core ~2.6% y/y; economists see limited market reaction to a potentially cooler reading.
Entities: U.S. stock futures, President Trump, S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow Jones • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
30-05-2025
U.S. stocks ended little changed Friday but capped a strong May. The S&P 500 was flat at 5,911, the Nasdaq fell 0.3%, and the Dow rose 0.1%. For May, the S&P 500 gained 6.2% and the Nasdaq 9.6%—their best monthly performance since November 2023—while the Dow rose 3.9%. Weekly, the S&P 500 climbed 1.9%, the Dow 1.6%, and the Nasdaq 2%.
Markets wavered after President Trump said China violated a preliminary trade agreement and reports signaled broader U.S. restrictions on China’s tech sector. Legal uncertainty around proposed tariffs added to volatility, with courts temporarily allowing duties to remain in place.
Health care was the only S&P 500 sector down in May, hurt by steep drops in UnitedHealth and Regeneron. Tech led the month, with the Nasdaq up over 9% and S&P information technology up more than 10%. Notable movers included Costco (+3% on earnings), Ulta (+13% on strong results and guidance), and Gap (-20% on weak sales outlook). Consumer sentiment improved slightly late in May as some tariff tensions temporarily eased.
Entities: S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow Jones Industrial Average, United States–China trade, President Trump • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
30-05-2025
Optimism in global business travel has fallen sharply, with positive sentiment dropping from 67% (Nov 2024) to 31% (Apr 2025), per the Global Business Travel Association. Around 30% of buyers expect fewer employee trips this year, 27% foresee lower spending, and one third have changed or are considering changing travel policies involving the U.S.; 6% have moved events out of the U.S. Concerns center on rising costs (54%) and visa processing (46%), amid tariffs and tighter U.S. border policies. Despite uncertainty, the market is still projected to reach $1.6 trillion in 2025 and surpass $2 trillion by 2028, with airfares slightly down (~2.2% YTD). Trade tensions may also spur new business trips as firms seek alternative partners and markets, though sustained high tariffs could depress U.S.-bound travel. Leisure travel to the U.S. is weakening, with 2025 international visitor spending expected to fall 4.7% (~$8.5 billion).
Entities: Global Business Travel Association, United States, tariffs, business travel, visa processing • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
30-05-2025
President Trump accused China of violating a preliminary U.S.-China trade deal that paused most retaliatory tariffs, signaling potential action in response. His comments, echoed by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, said China is “slow rolling” compliance and that this is unacceptable. Stock futures fell after Trump’s statement. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said talks are “a bit stalled.” The 90-day tariff suspension was agreed on May 12 following steep U.S. tariffs and China’s retaliation. Trump claimed he made the deal to stabilize China’s economy but now says China “totally violated” it. CNBC sought comment from China’s embassy.
Entities: Donald Trump, China, U.S.-China trade deal, tariffs, Jamieson Greer • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
30-05-2025
U.S.-China trade talks have stalled and may require direct involvement from President Trump and President Xi, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. After a May 12 Switzerland deal paused recent tariff hikes for 90 days, progress has slowed: the U.S. advanced tech export controls, while China hasn’t eased rare earth restrictions as Washington expected. Beijing urged the U.S. to reverse chip-related curbs and criticized the newly announced revocation of some Chinese student visas. Bessent expects more talks in coming weeks and a potential leaders’ call, saying Trump’s engagement could bring China back to the table.
Entities: United States, China, Scott Bessent, Donald Trump, Xi Jinping • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
30-05-2025
US stocks ended a volatile May with modest declines Friday amid renewed trade war jitters after President Trump accused China of violating its agreement and reports surfaced of potential expanded tech sanctions. Despite the wobble, the S&P 500 rose over 6% in May—its best month since November 2023 and strongest May since 1990—while the Nasdaq gained about 9.5%. Markets appear to discount escalation risk under the “TACO” (Trump Always Chickens Out) narrative, though legal battles over tariffs and policy uncertainty are fueling volatility. A court temporarily paused a ruling blocking most Trump tariffs, keeping the tariff agenda in limbo. Meanwhile, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge cooled in April, but consumer spending fell. The dollar index is on track for a fifth straight monthly decline and is down over 8% year-to-date.
Entities: S&P 500, Nasdaq, Donald Trump, China, trade war • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
30-05-2025
US imports have slumped to pandemic-like lows despite a brief court ruling that blocked many of President Trump’s tariffs before they were quickly reinstated on appeal, creating policy whiplash. Ports report sharp year-over-year drops in volumes—around 30% declines in Los Angeles, Seattle/Tacoma, and Oakland—amid ongoing uncertainty and a still-high 30% tariff on China. Retailers, having front-loaded inventory in March, saw a $68.4 billion import drop last month and are hesitant to place new factory orders, reducing buffer stocks and raising the risk of price increases. Limited time windows on paused reciprocal tariffs (expiring July 9 and August 12) further constrain planning. Port of LA expects only a moderate June uptick, still below last year, while major retailers signal price hikes. Bottom line: tariff volatility is suppressing imports, adding costs, and likely pressuring consumer prices without an immediate rebound in port activity.
Entities: US imports, Trump’s tariffs, China, Port of Los Angeles, Seattle/Tacoma • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
30-05-2025
CNN reports that President Trump grew visibly angry when asked about the Wall Street term “TACO” (Trump Always Chickens Out), which suggests he routinely backs off aggressive tariff threats. Caught off guard because his team hadn’t briefed him, Trump thought the phrase implied weakness and scolded aides afterward. He defended his approach as deliberate negotiation—setting high tariffs to gain leverage, then easing if others concede. The term originated in a May Financial Times column and spread among investors as a shorthand for markets rebounding when Trump softens tariff moves. Trump’s irritation underscores his sensitivity to perceptions of weakness and his insistence that tariff shifts are strategic, not retreats.
Entities: Donald Trump, CNN, Financial Times, TACO (Trump Always Chickens Out), tariffs • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
30-05-2025
US retail giants, facing political pressure to keep prices stable amid the US-China trade war, are pushing Chinese and some Southeast Asian suppliers to absorb 50–66% of US import tariffs. After initially agreeing to cover all tariffs to restart shipments in late April, companies tied to retailers and brands such as Walmart, Target, Nike, Puma and Adidas are now renegotiating cost-sharing. Talks are ongoing and terms remain fluid as both sides try to manage escalating costs and protect margins.
Entities: US retail giants, Chinese suppliers, US import tariffs, Walmart, Target • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
30-05-2025
Japan is preparing a package of incentives to dissuade President Trump from imposing steep tariffs, including up to 1 trillion yen (US$6.9 billion) in purchases of US-made semiconductors, increased spending on US military equipment, and higher contributions to the cost of stationing US troops in Japan. Economy Minister Ryosei Akazawa will lead talks in Washington, as Tokyo judges buying and security concessions more effective than retaliatory measures taken by others like Canada and the EU. Political timing ahead of Japan’s July election is also a factor in the strategy.
Entities: Japan, Donald Trump, semiconductors, US military equipment, Ryosei Akazawa • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
