Stocks were poised to climb on Wednesday, with Wall Street rallying behind growing confidence that interest rates will soon fall. Investors appeared to take comfort from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s dovish remarks rather than dwell on the latest flare-up in trade tensions between the United States and China. It seems like monetary policy matters more than politics.
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Futures tied to major indices moved higher in early trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 193 points, or 0.4%. S&P 500 futures climbed 0.6%, while Nasdaq 100 contracts gained 0.9%. The move reflected optimism that rate cuts could offset recent volatility across global markets.
The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note eased by 3 basis points to 4%, extending a modest bond rally. Gold futures jumped 1.3% to a record $4,218 an ounce, while the dollar slipped 0.2% against a basket of major currencies, which is a sign that traders expect easier monetary conditions ahead.
Powell’s Comments Ignite Optimism
Markets rebounded sharply on Tuesday after Powell signaled that a softening labor market could give the Fed more room to lower borrowing costs. His remarks were interpreted as a hint that the central bank’s tightening cycle is nearing its end.
According to the CME FedWatch tool, traders now see a 95% probability that the Fed will cut rates by half a percentage point before year-end, up from 79% just a week ago. The shift has reignited demand for equities and risk assets, helping major indices recover from earlier trade-related jitters.
Investors Brush Off Trade Tensions
President Donald Trump added a new layer of uncertainty late Tuesday, writing on Truth Social (DJT) that his administration is considering “terminating business” with China involving cooking oil and other “elements of Trade.” The remarks initially raised concerns of renewed friction between the two largest economies, but investors appeared more focused on the monetary outlook than geopolitical risks.
The market’s reaction suggests that traders are viewing potential rate cuts as a stronger driver for stocks than trade headlines, at least for now. Analysts said the underlying sentiment remains buoyant as long as policy easing remains on the table.
Corporate Earnings and AI Strength Lift Confidence
Wall Street will also be watching a new round of corporate earnings this week. Bank of America (BAC) and Morgan Stanley (MS) are set to report later Wednesday, providing fresh insight into consumer strength and capital markets activity.
Meanwhile, optimism around artificial intelligence continued to bolster the tech sector. ASML (ASML), the Dutch chip-equipment manufacturer, issued upbeat guidance and said demand for its lithography tools remains strong amid the ongoing AI investment boom. Its Amsterdam-listed shares rose 2.9% in early European trading, helping lift broader semiconductor sentiment.
Here’s the Outlook for the Week Ahead
Despite lingering uncertainty over tariffs and global trade, the broader narrative remains supportive. Falling Treasury yields, stronger corporate guidance, and expectations of monetary easing are giving equities a tailwind.
Still, analysts warn that volatility could return quickly if inflation data surprises to the upside or if trade tensions escalate further.
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