Financial Sector

U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent stated that the U.S. is considering industrial policy, including price floors, in response to China’s dominance and unfair pricing in the rare earth minerals market. This aims to protect domestic industries. Meanwhile, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs reported strong earnings, fueling investor optimism despite U.S.-China trade tensions. The market’s future hinges on upcoming earnings from tech giants like Tesla and Intel.

Bank of America announced a U.S. minimum hourly wage increase to $25, effective early October 2025, impacting thousands of employees and fulfilling its $25 by 2025 pledge. This translates to over $50,000 annually for full-time employees. The company emphasizes career advancement opportunities, comprehensive benefits, and significant investment in employee development, contributing to economic growth. The move may pressure other financial institutions to raise wages and could impact Bank of America’s future performance.