
U.S. stock markets displayed mixed trends on Thursday, hovering near record highs following a combination of mixed economic reports and encouraging updates on inflation. In early trading, the S&P 500 rose by 0.2%, a day after achieving an all-time peak, while the Nasdaq composite gained 0.6%. Conversely, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 149 points. Treasury yields continued their downward trajectory, propelled by a growing belief that inflation is decelerating sufficiently to prompt the Federal Reserve to consider cutting interest rates later this year. Broadcom experienced a significant surge in its stock price, jumping after the chip company reported earnings that exceeded expectations, driven largely by robust demand for AI-related products and services.
Market Overview
exhibited mixed movements early on Thursday, subsequent to the Federal Reserve’s decision to maintain its benchmark interest rate unchanged following a government report indicating that consumer inflation had cooled more than anticipated in the previous month.
Dow Jones Industrial Average: Futures declined 0.3% before the market opened.
S&P 500: Futures edged up by just over 0.1%.
AI and Corporate Performance
The market’s enthusiasm for AI was once again evident. Shares of Broadcom surged by 14.3% in premarket trading after the company exceeded both sales and profit targets, fueled by strong AI-related demand. Broadcom’s revenue increased by 43% compared to the same quarter last year, with AI-related product and service sales reaching a record $3.1 billion.
Tesla shares witnessed an increase of 6.5% following a social media post by CEO Elon Musk, signaling early shareholder support for reinstating his $44.9 billion pay package. This package had been previously rejected by a Delaware judge after shareholder litigation. Tesla shareholders are also scheduled to vote on relocating the company’s incorporation from Delaware to Texas.
In contrast, Dave & Buster’s experienced a significant decline, plunging over 10% in premarket trading after reporting sales and profits that fell short of expectations.
Federal Reserve and Inflation
As anticipated, the Federal Reserve maintained its key interest rate steady following its most recent policy meeting. Treasury yields decreased after a report revealed that consumer prices had risen by 3.3% over the preceding year, slightly below economists’ projections of 3.4%.
Lower inflation is beneficial to U.S. households and could lead the Federal Reserve to reduce its interest rate, easing economic pressures and boosting investment prices. Fed Chair Jerome Powell stated that further evidence is required to confirm that inflation is progressing towards the 2% target before any rate cuts are implemented.
Global Markets
Europe: Shares declined significantly as G7 leaders convened in Italy to address global conflicts, the proliferation of AI, and African issues. France’s CAC 40 dropped by 1.2%, Germany’s DAX fell by 1.1%, and Britain’s FTSE 100 decreased by 0.4%.
Asia: Investors focused their attention on Japan’s central bank meeting, where the Bank of Japan is expected to maintain its current policy despite economic pressure from the strong U.S. dollar. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index dipped by 0.4%, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.4%, South Korea’s Kospi increased 1.0%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng climbed nearly 1.0%. The Shanghai Composite fell by 0.3%.
Energy and Currency
Crude Oil: Benchmark U.S. crude declined by 72 cents, settling at $77.78 a barrel, while Brent crude dropped by 63 cents, reaching $81.97 a barrel.
Currency: The U.S. dollar strengthened, reaching 157.23 Japanese yen from 156.71 yen, while the euro weakened, falling to $1.0784 from $1.0812.
Previous Market Performance
On Wednesday, the S&P 500 gained 0.9%, reaching a new all-time high. The Nasdaq composite rose by 1.5%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped by 0.1%.