Political Influence
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Powell’s Remarks Steal Spotlight as Fed Holds Rates Steady
The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady, but attention focused on Fed Chair Powell’s defense of his presence at a crucial legal proceeding involving Fed Governor Lisa Cook, warning his successor against political entanglement. Meanwhile, UK PM Starmer visited China, signaling efforts to deepen ties, with early signs of cooperation. Corporate earnings from Meta, Microsoft, and Tesla showed mixed investor reactions despite exceeding expectations. The S&P 500 neared 7,000, the dollar strengthened, and gold prices hit new highs. European banks and pharma companies also reported positive results.