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US stock indices started the week steady and near record highs on Monday, as investors braced for a series of potentially market-moving events, including Big Tech earnings, a key Federal Reserve meeting on interest rates, and further global trade negotiations.The benchmark S&P 500 rose 0.1%, extending a strong run that saw it hit record highs on all five trading days last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 34 points, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.3%, AP reported.Markets remained calm after the United States and the European Union agreed on a framework for a trade deal, announced during President Donald Trump’s meeting with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen in Scotland. The deal outlines a 15% tariff on most EU exports to the US, up from a previous average of 1%, but still avoids the heavier import duties that had been threatened. Negotiations are ongoing, and many details remain unresolved.The upcoming week is expected to be a volatile one, with major US technology companies set to report earnings and the Federal Reserve’s policy decision due. President Trump has once again pressed the Fed to cut rates, citing potential debt servicing benefits. However, Fed Chair Jerome Powell has signalled caution, stating the central bank would wait for more economic data before acting.Meanwhile, Intel shares plunged 8.5% after the chipmaker reported a quarterly loss and announced plans to cut jobs in a bid to restructure its business. By contrast, Deckers Brands, the company behind Ugg and Hoka footwear, surged 11.3% on stronger-than-expected earnings, buoyed by nearly 50% international revenue growth.Global equities also showed positive momentum. European indices closed higher with Germany’s DAX rising 0.3%, France’s CAC 40 climbing 0.6%, and the UK’s FTSE 100 up 0.1%. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei fell 1.1% amid uncertainty over Tokyo’s trade agreement with the US, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.7% and Shanghai Composite edged up 0.1%.Investors also tracked developments in the US-China trade talks in Stockholm, as well as market movements in response to CK Hutchison’s plan to include a Chinese investor in its Panama Canal port sale.On the commodities front, US benchmark crude rose 62 cents to $65.78 per barrel, while Brent crude added 62 cents to $68.28. The dollar strengthened to 148.41 yen, while the euro slipped to $1.1658.
Source: Times of India
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